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Mr Lucas, MED
CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET
Mr Bevan, SWPD
Mr O'Keeffe, HKIOD)
Separate copies
cc Mr Harrison, PCCU
COMMONS DEFENCE & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB COMMITTEE
1.
With reference to the minute of 8 April by Mr Harrison, I attach a copy of the minute by Mr Blanks, Head of DS 11 in the MOD to Mr Benham, F1 (N), which he wrote after a preliminary word with me.
2. MOD would be grateful to know if we have anything to add to Mr Blanks' minute. Mr O'Keeffe is already in touch with them about a possible visit to Hong Kong. As regards Diego Garcia and Singapore, I do not think there is much to add to what Mr Blanks says in his minute. As regards Masirah, Mr Lucas might like o consider whether he wishes to add anything to Mr Blanks' comments. Mr Clarke has commented (papers to Mr Lucas only) that there could be practical difficulties about transport and accommodation, quive apart from the fact that a visit might be inopportune inasmuch ma Masirah's raison d'etre is political and in practical terms it not make sense; we would need to brief the Sub Committee carefully. The latter point need not I think cause difficulty by itself. MOD have already briefed the Sub Committee on certain points with a Secret classification. We could no doubt make arrangements to brief them similarly again on any further points on Masirah or any of the other places they hope to visit.
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3. In commenting to MOD, you might like to suggest to what extent you think it would be appropriate for the Sub Committee to visit HM Representatives and the kind of subjects which they might aiscuss with them.
If you agree, I suggest that your contributions are colla Jua by Defence Department and passed to Mr Harrison for transmission to the MOD, unless he would prefer Defence Department to do this direcu.
21 April 1975
Teddy Jacke
JE Jacks on
Defence Department
CONFIDENTIAL COVERING SECRET
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