TNAG-0477-FCO40-542-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 184

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Basically, my yearning is that we could get away from the political need to keep all our troops on the continent because our allies expect it.

Ideally, I would like flexible, mobile maritime/air/fire brigade forces capable of protecting the North Sea Oil Rigs, holding Gibraltar, defending the Falklands etc. etc., with a much smaller land contribution to NATO and a recognition that the missile submarines represented our real contribution!! Hopeless I suppose!"

PS/Mr..Hattersley PS/Mr. Ennals

PS/PUS

Sir G. Arthur

Sir J. Killick

Mr. Tebbit

Sir D. Watson

Mr. Wilford

Mr. Wright Sir V. Evans

Mr. Holland

Mr. Orchard

Mr. Thomson

Mr. Wiggin Mr. Jackson Mr. Tickell

L.J.C.

Mont

(M.O'D.B. Alexander)

10 June, 1974

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