TNAG-0480-FCO40-545-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 196

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8.

In working out the implications of these principles in

terms of force levels and the effects on the three Services,

priority has been given to maintaining as far as possible the

level and quality of our front-line forces.

We shall equip

them in a manner commensurate with their roles and

responsibilities, and restructure and reduce the support area

to match the new size and shape of the front-line.

The

effects of our proposals on the forward plans of the three

Services which we inherited in March 1974 would be broadly

as follows.

9.

The Royal Navy's planned numbers of frigates, destroyers

and mine countermeauures vessels would be reduced by about a

seventh; of conventional submarines by a quarter; and of

afloat support by a third. Planned new ship construction

would be reduced by about a quarter; and all ship refitting

work, some of which is now done in commercial yards, would be

concentrated in the Royal Dockyards.

The nuclear submarine

and the cruiser programmes would be unaffected.

Marines would be reduced by about a seventh,

The Royal