#45181) Dd. 737490 750M 1/71 Hw.
GORET
الفائده
Registry No.
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.......................................................................In Confidence
Prime Minister
Defence Secretary
Secretary of State for
Industry
Sir J Hunt
DRAFT
To:-
Chancellor of the Exchequer
DEFENCE EXPENDITURE 1974/75
Type 1 +
From
Secretary of State
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
I have considered your minute of 13 March to the
Defence Secretary and his reply. I naturally accept
that in the present financial climate there will have
to be reductions in defence expenditure and it is
largely for this purpose that a Defence Review is in
train. I am strongly of the opinion that this review
cannot sensibly be treated piecemeal. Moreover
hurried announcements without adequate preparation
of the ground with the various Governments concerned
will lead to grave and unnecessary damage to our
overseas interests. Like the Defence Secretary
therefore I trust that you will be able to avoid any
reference in your Budget Speech to the reduction of
specific defence commitments.
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