long-term contribution to defence for perhaps another year. It seems to me, however, that there must be a trade-off between the cost of the forces on the ground and increased mobility; and I suggest therefore that we should consider on the basis of military priorities whether the extra helicopters might not be paid for out of the present cost of the garrison. There were some informal suggestions that there might be some scope for rationalisation between the Services in the house-keeping areas. CINCFE will also probably be raising with you the extent of CBF's administrative responsibilities where the RN and the RAF seem to be adopting a different policy from that of the Army. I would certainly be unwilling to accept any net extra cost to the defence budget on account of this require- ment at the present time. Incidentally there is still a strong local preference for Wessex's on grounds of both serviceability and safety. Is there scope for adjusting our priorities world-wide to make this possible?
30th June 1969
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