TNAG-0479-FCO40-544-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 138

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Reference......

Mr Pauncefort, Gibraltar & General Dept

155

cc:

Mr Cox, WIAD

JA

Mr Stuart, HKION

Mr Preston, Caribbean Dept

Mr Bullock, PDTD

DEFENCE REVIEW

1.

Your minute of 30 October. I fear we may have been at slight cross purposes in our conversation yesterday. It is not the intention to inform Governments of detailed Defence Review decisions at this stage. What is proposed is to let them know shortly beforehand that we shall be making a Statement in Parliament on the Defence Review. Exactly what will be in the Statement has not yet been finally decided but it will probably be in general terms. Its main purpose will be to let MPs know that consultations with our Allies are about to begin.

2.

Consequently, what will be required for dependent territories is, I would think, a covering message to accompany the text of the Parliamentary Statement (or to say that one is to be made the following day depending on what is decided) with, as you judge. necessary, instructions on how Governors are to inform their local Authorities. We shall, of course,

let you know as soon as the content of the Parliamentary Statement and the date on which it is to be made have been decided.

RCB Commer.

31 October 1974

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RL B Cormack Defence Department