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paragraph on MBFR. forms of words now.
Paragraph 17
But there is no point thinking up alternative
The passage on North Sea oil installations needs to be expanded to reflect the recent discussions in OPDO(S).
Chapter 2
Paragraphs 10(a) and 14(a)
We note that the Paper proposes eventually to go into detail on the defence cuts which will be made in Hong Kong. We doubt if we will be able to be specific about these by February. As you are aware, the present position is that, although we and the Hong Kong Government have agreed on a probable level of forces, there is no agreement on who should pay for them in what proportions, and it is quite possible that, if neither side will be able to find the necessary funds, there may yet have to be further cuts. The Governor has asked for the definitive negotiations to be put back until May; there is now some opposition to this from the Treasury. But the Defence Review Sub-Committee agreed that this should be possible and that the Defence White Paper need not be an obstacle.
We therefore suggest, at least for the present, that the first sentence of paragraph 10(a) should be reworded " .but those forces will be reviewed in the negotiations for a new defence costs agreement with Hong Kong", and that the penultimate sentence of 14(a) should read "...and supporting units will be somewhat reduced following the negotiation of an agreement with Hong Kong on the sharing of defence costs from 1976".
Paragraph 10(b)
It would be helpful if this section could be expanded to incluic an indication that contingencies arising in the West Indies will in future be met by the deployment of ships from the Eastern Atlantic.
Paragraph 10(c)
We should prefer the passage in square brackets to precede the sentence about the Royal Marine detachment in the Falkland Islands. As you are aware, the future of Endurance is still subject to discussion and possible review. Some further amendment of this paragraph may therefore be required.
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