TNAG-0348-FCO40-384-Costs-of-extra-services-provided-by-armed-forces-of-UK-in-Ho-1972 — Page 12

SECRET

our view the arguments on each/side are pretty

evenly balanced although in all honesty we do feel

that to draw a distinction between "Highland Bonnet"

and "Spring Clean" rather savours of hair splitting.

However in the hope of clearing the way for a

satisfactory solution of the Snake Fence dispute

the Ministry of Defence are prepared to withdraw this

claim.

in Whitehall

10. After à long and arduous battle on your behalf

we have, I think, achieved the best possible

compromise from your point of view. Although I

fully realise that you may still have some difficulty

in persuading your Finance Committee to vote the

funds required I hope therefore that you will feel

able to do your utmost to bring them to accept the

proposed solution in the interests of disposing of

Exious

this time-consuming and irritating problem.

SECRET

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