RAF Regiment; and some twelve RAF Stations in the United Kingdom

would be closed.

12.

We shall reduced planned expenditure on research and development by

some 10 per cent and continue vigorously to support the efforts being

made within the Alliance to increase standardisation in equipment and

eliminate duplication in research and development.

13. Without taking into account any possible reductions under MBFR,

our proposals would involve reducing the planned total numbers of

Servicemen by about 30,000, including some 11,000 locally entered abroad.

In the interests of efficiency, and equally of the well-being and morale

1

of the forces themselves, the changes we propose will be made deliberately

and progressively, the bulk of them over the next 5 years.

Some

redundancies, both Service and civilian, will be unavoidable if the

Services and the Ministry of Defence are to be adapted to the new range -

of commitments, and if the balance of ranks and ages necessary for a

satisfactory career structure is to be preserved.

Those who have to

be made redundant will be offered fair terms, and time in which to plan

their future employment. We shall be examining ways in which the

Government can helpt with resettlement into civilian life.

1. Despite these changes, however, the Services and the Ministry of

Defence will continue to offer a wide range of fine career opportunities

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