Cc:
SECRET
Basically, my yearning is that we could get away from the political need to keep all our troops on the continent because our allies expect it.
Ideally, I would like flexible, mobile maritime/air/fire brigade forces capable of protecting the North Sea Oil Rigs, holding Gibraltar, defending the Falklands etc. etc., with a much smaller land contribution to NATO and a recognition that the missile submarines represented our real contribution!! Hopeless I suppose!"
PS/Mr..Hattersley PS/Mr. Ennals
PS/PUS
Sir G. Arthur
Sir J. Killick
Mr. Tebbit
Sir D. Watson
Mr. Wilford
Mr. Wright Sir V. Evans
Mr. Holland
Mr. Orchard
Mr. Thomson
Mr. Wiggin Mr. Jackson Mr. Tickell
L.J.C.
Mont
(M.O'D.B. Alexander)
10 June, 1974
SECRET