TNAG-0476-FCO40-541-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 215

SECRET

J

Sir Duncan Watson

DEFENCE REVIEW

1. Your minute of 2 April to me crossed with two communications on this subject which I hope will sufficiently answer the questions raised in your minute.

He

2. You will have seen from Mr Cormack's minute covering a brief for the Secretary of State at OPD tomorrow that the Permanent Secretaries have improved the guidelines for the Defence Review and that the Secretary of State is advised to agree to them. is also advised to take a strong line on consultation with our friends and allies. I have now heard that Mr Hattersley agrees with the brief.

3. The second communication is a minute (copy attached) which I have sent to the Heads of Departments invited to attend my meeting tomorrow to discuss a paper covering the implications of reductions or cuts in all our defence commitments outside NATO. I believe that this meeting and the subsequent paper will be the best way of letting Departments know where we stand in relation to the Defence Review and of collecting and collating the various Departmental considerations.

3 April 1974

Copies to: Sir J Killick

Mr Wilford

Mr Campbell

Mr Wiggin

Mr Youde

Mr Larmour

Mr Champion Mr Stuart✔ Mr Cox

Mr Preston Mr Nicholas

Withomon

J A Thomson

SECRET