TNAG-0254-FCO40-290-Contributions-of-Hong-Kong-for-costs-of-maintaining-military-1971 — Page 94

SECRE

Cabinet

Defence and Overseas Policy Committee

Defence Secretary's Memorandum on The Rundown of the British Army

Talking Points

I agree that we must accept the Defence Secretary'

recommendations regarding the British Army rundown.

2. The Army manpower position revealed in the paper is most disturbin

The 46 British Infantry battalions remaining at the end of Phase II of the Rundown (September 1972) are clearly insufficient to meet our likely commitments.

3. Any reduction in the number of infantry battalions committed

e number to NATO would have very adverse consequences on our standing in the Alliance, particularly as we are at present considering, in concert with our European allies measures to avert or at least minimise possible American troop withdrawals from Europe. earmarking of NATO battalions must be kept to a minimum as it is much, disliked by our Allies' who are afraid that our other commit-

The Secretary- ments will take precedence over those to NATO.

Double

General of NATO, though understanding of our position, has: already expressed his concern at the continued withdrawal of battalions from NATO for service in Northern Ireland, and indeed he recently told the Defence Secretary that he might have no alternative but to report us to the NATO Defence Planning Committee

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