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Presentationally however this might be a bit awkward if anyone asks for the figures, especially as the total for 1974 may, as a result of the arrears being overtaken, be somewhat higher than in 1973. We could be quite frank and say why this has happen ed.
Alternatively we could select a different period for comparison purposes and the table suggests that a twelve months period ending 30th June would show up the best, the more so if we quoted figures for number of applications agreed here (i. e. column 3) rather than those finalised (column 5).
It is possible that, following the decision of last March, we raised our criteria a little too high: it is very difficult when deciding on border line cases to know how much more exacting one should be in order to strike a particular level of total approvals. We could relax slightly again but I would prefer, now that we have set ourselves a particular standard, to adhere to it,
Yours ever, Peter.
(G. P. Lloyd) Secretary for Security
SECRET