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(a) Paragraph 13. It was urged that we should declare our intentions in
respect of our future position in the Middle East in terms comparable to
those which were envisaged in rospect of the Far East. It was, however,
tho general view that, particularly in present circunstances in the Middle
East, it would be imprudent and contrary to our interests to make any
statement in this regard at the present time.
(e) Paragraph 16. In discussion of a revision of the draft to announco
the Government's intention of withdrawing our forces from the mainland of
Asia by the mid-1970s, it was agreed that this tern could if necessary
publicly be defined as being between the years 1973-77.
(f) Paragraph 21. Doubt was expressed about the terms of this paragraph,
for reasons which had been fully developed in the Committec's discussion on
the previous item of their agenda in relation to the cost of naval ships and
equipment. It was, however, agreed that, subject to certain minor amend- ments, the paragraph should stand.
(g) Paragraphs 27-32. Reductions in support. It was agreed that, where
possible, numbers of civil personnel and figures of reductions in costs
should be shown.
(h) Paragraph 36. It was agreed that, to accord with the Committee's
decision in respect of our position in the Far East in the mid-1970s, this
paragraph should also state the order of saving of defence expenditure (of £100 million) which it was expected to achieve by that period.
The Committee
Invited the Defence Secretary, in consultation with other
Ministers concerned, to revise the draft White Paper on the lines agreed in discussion and to circulate the revised draft to the Cabinet for their consideration.
Cabinet Office, S.W.1.
4th July 1967
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