TNAG-0476-FCO40-541-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 12

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The study was not to cover the year 1974/5 (from which a total of £262m (at 1974 prices) has already been cut from the planned figure) and any changes in 1975/6 would be a reflection of later changes.

3. As a working assumption officials were asked to consider commitments and forces in the following order of ascending priority:- in the Far East and South East Asia, including the

8.

b.

نا ن

d.

e.

f.

related reinforcement capability;

to CENTO and otherwise in the Middle East;

in the South Atlantic and Caribbean;

in the Allied Forces South (AFSOUTH) area of Allied Command Europe (ACE) and the Mediterranean generally;

for reinforcement and/or assault, together with

associated sea and air lifts, including the function

of responding to the unforeseen;

the major United Kingdom contribution to NATO in no

order of priority:

to Allied Command Europe, excluding APSOUTH

to SACLANT and CINCHAN

to the Alliance strategic deterrent

to the security of the United Kingdom

base in both peace and war.

These guidelines stressed the critical importance of timing in

effecting reductions and also the need for full consultation with

our allies.

4. In endorsing these arrangements Ministers agreed that although

the consequences of reducing defence expenditure to the most ævere

of the guidelines might well show such reductions to the unaccaptable, this could not be assumed in advance, and officials should proceed

on the basis of OPD (74)7.

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