TNAG-0477-FCO40-542-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 119

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wish to examine in further detail?".

39. In paragraph 58(e), after the first sentence, insert

the sentence "At least preliminary decisions will be needed

first".

40. There was

a lengthy discussion on the desirability of

including a separate passage on political consultations.

At first the idea was favourably received, but as we went through

the FCO text, it was increasingly felt by Sir John Hunt and others

that the effect of including this passage would be simply to

irritate Ministers, who are becoming increasingly restive at

what they regard as the obstructive attitude of officials in

the drafting of a number of papers on other subjects on which

decisions will have to be taken by the Ministers in the near

future. The hope was expressed that these general considerations

would be expressed by Mr Callaghan when the paper is taken by

the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee on Thursday of next

week. In general the amendments which I asked to be included

in the paper did not find acceptance, largely for the reason that

the others present wished the questions of the political effects

on our foreign relations to be emphasised by the Foreign and

Commonwealth Secretary. There was increasing irritation as I

kept referring to the issue of "teeth versus tail" and the

possibility of seeking economies in R and D. They accepted

that the Allies would probably raise these questions, and

they thought it would be desirable that Mr Callaghan should

warn his colleagues that these were likely to come up, but

/the CDS

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