§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Lord Privy Seal what representations he has received from the Hong Kong Government concerning the forthcoming negotiations over the bilateral textile agreement between Hong Kong and the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThis issue has been raised with us by the Hong Kong Government on a number of occasions. My hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Trade and my right hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Atkins) both visited Hong Kong in January and the Hong Kong Director of Trade, Industry and Customs is at present on an official visit to London. We expect such contacts to continue, although it is for the Commission to represent the Community, including the United Kingdom, in the formal negotiations.
§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps he proposes to take to ensure that Hong Kong receives fair treatment in the forthcoming negotiations over the bilateral textile agreement between Hong Kong and the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdMy hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Trade dealt with this point in answer to a supplementary question on 26 February.—[Vol. 18, c. 1110.] While the Community will require cutbacks in certain categories of imports from all four dominant suppliers, including Hong Kong, the United Kingdom has secured acceptance that the degree of openness of supplier countries' markets is a factor to be taken into account in negotiating the overall terms of the new bilateral agreement. Among the dominant suppliers, only Hong Kong in fact maintains a completely open market. It is now for the Hong Kong Government to conduct negotiations with the Commission.