Ane wi
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SECRET
effective Alliance defence, in which the British
contribution is responsive to the contributions of
others, we have not tried to finalise details down
to the last corma. We accept the ideas which lie
behind the US "llatrix" concept whereby on element
of rationalisation in Allied defence efforts should
be achieved. we attach a high priority to the achieveme
Greates
standardi
prit of standardisation in Allied defence
equipment, and we believe that stendardisation
properly pursued should ensure more defence 187
dollar spent. Were we now to lay down hard and
fast programmes covering the 10-year period ghend,
we would not be in a position properly to contribute.
to the Allied endeavours in these fields which have
Linde ach
been encouraged from washington. In the working out
year by year of the detailed implications of the
proposals which we shall now put to the Alliance,
we shall be concerned to take account of allied
views. Thus the scope of the Defence lovicu
deliberately limited.
Resources for Defence
6. Our economic performance since the War bes
legged well behind our major European neighbours. During the 1950's and 60's France and Germany
achieved a growth rate of at least 5% a year in real terms. By contrast, British GNI prev at rome 24% per year. Over a period of years this kind of
difference in the annual increment to national
outṛut makes a drematic difference to the resources available to Government for allocation to public
The improvement of.
programmes and personal living standards. While our
national income rose by a half in this period, that
(17255) Dd.145173 400m $/73 G.W.B.Ltd Gp.253
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BECNET
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