TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 114

CONFIDENTIAL

2ND DRAFT

European Allies. In common with the United Kingdom defence industry,

the ROF organisation is making the necessary arrangements for

assuming full responsibility for quality control, and plans to

complete these during 1976.

ARMY SUPPORT ORGANISATION

Royal Army Ordnance Corps Computerised Inventory System

34. The Statement on Defence Estimates 1971 (Cmnd.4592) outlined plans

for a computerised Central Inventory Control Point (CICP), to be located

at Bicester, to improve the management of Ordnance matériel. The

CICP was opened in April 1972 and transfer to it of the Royal Army

Ordnance Corps commodity range has been virtually completed. Control

of RAOC stocks in BAOR has been taken over by an Inventory Control

Point (ICP) at Viersen, directly linked with CICP. Control by

computer has also been extended to Berlin, and will be fully

operative in Hong Kong early in 1975. A trial is planned to take

place shortly on the use of small mobile computers at inventory

points within brigades. The development of a computer-based system

in support of overseas sales continues. A feasibility study in the

use of computer output on microfilm is well advanced and it is

expected that the introduction of this facility, early in 1976, will

achieve worthwhile savings in paper and distribution costs.

Maintenance of Spares

35. The flow of spare parts for equipment from industry has been

significantly reduced as a result of their difficulties over the

past year. In addition, it has been necessary to reduce the

consumption of motor fuel. Daily vehicle activity has therefore

been restricted to conserve stocks. Since operational maintenance

in, for example, Northern Ireland, could not be stinted, economies

have had to be made principally in training activity. These

P -

79 -

CONFIDENTIAL