CONFIDENTIAL,
CONS IDENTE
16.
Industry has been consulted where its interests are affected
by the proposals, and its views have been taken into account in
the Government's decisions (see paragraphs 71).
Ministry
of Defence civilian staffs have also been consulted (paragraphs 69
to 70).
THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISIONS
17. The Government have now taken the basic decisions on the
Defence Review which are outlined in the following paragraphs.
To achieve the economic as well as the military and political
objectives of the Review, Britain's defence forces had to be
concentrated on those areas in which a British contribution to
collective defence would be most effective in ensuring Britain's
security and that of her Allies. This meant that NATO the linch
pin of British security should remain the first and overriding
charge on the resources available for defence; that our commitments
outside the Alliance should be reduced as far as possible to avoid
overstretching our forces; and that general purpose forces should
be maintained as an insurance against the unforeseen.
18.
-
The Government's decisions are far-reaching and their
implementation in terms of men, equipment and facilities will naturally
take time to work out in detail. This work is being pressed ahead
urgently. The Government attaches great importance to giving the
earliest possible information to those who may be affected, whether
in the Services, in the Civil Service or in industry.
Continuing Commitment to NATO
19. In reaching its decisions the Government had to decide the level
of defence and the balance of forces which Britain should maintain to
ensure security in the current era of detente between East and West.
I-7
CONFOURIENTIAL