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In further discussion it was noted that, if we were to withdraw further forces from Europe the following year, it would be necessary, if the maximum financial benefit were to be obtained, for the withdrawals
to begin in April 1968 and therefore for notice to be given to the troops concerned in October 1967. Furthermore, it would be essential to ensure that the necessary accommodation both for the troops and their families would be available. The point was also made that the further reduction of forces would have undesirable military and political consequences, including a further imbalance between German forces and
our own.
THE PRIME MINISTER, summing up the discussion, said that the Committee accepted the objections which the Foreign Secretary had explained to our seeking on this occasion release from any numerical commitment under
the Revised Brussels Treaty. We should, therefore, now seek only a reduction in the size of that commitment in the terms proposed by the
Foreign Secretary. We should, however, now consider the action which
should be taken in relation to an offset agreement for the following
year, the level of forces which we should seek to maintain on the mainland
of Europe and the further revision of our numerical commitment which in
these circumstances it would then best accord with our interests to seek.
Thereafter we should give prior notification to the United States and
Federal German Governments of our intention to seek a further modification
or the abolition of that commitment. We should also ensure that the
necessary accommodation was available in the United Kingdom to enable us
to withdraw forces if the Government decided on this course.
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The Committee
(1) Invited the Foreign Secretary to be guided by the
Prime Minister's summing up of their discussion in seeking the reduction of our numerical commitment under the Revised Brussels Treaty.
(2) Invited the Foreign Secretary, in consultation with the Defence Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to arrange for officials to consider the alternative courses which the Government might take in this regard for the following year on the lines indicated by the Prime Minister, and to circulate a report to the Committee.
(3) Invited the Defence Secretary, after consultation with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Housing and Local Government, to circulate a paper to the Committee on the accommodation required to permit further withdrawals of forces from Europe for the following year.
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