TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 51

CONFIDENTIAL

2ND DRAFT

Energy Conservation

42.

Faced with oil shortages and steeply rising prices, the

Services tightened further their control over fuel consumption

during the winter of 1973-74. Despite a return to nearly normal

supplies in Spring 1974, these controls have been maintained so as

to achieve an overall saving of some 10 per cent in consumption in the

1974-75 financial year. The measures have entailed considerable

reductions in the use of transport of all types and of domestic

fuels. Although these substantial short term savings have been

achieved without affecting the operational capability of the

Services, they have cut into training needed to maintain standards

of efficiency. The Services are therefore examining a range of

measures designed to achieve greater efficiency in the use of fuel

oils and better fuel conservation so that they can maintain their

contribution to the national effort in the longer term. Update

in the light of any further Government statement on energy conserva-

tion measures.]

Force Improvements

43. The capabilities of the British forces have been enhanced

since 1973 with the introduction of several new equipments into

service. These include:

Royal Navy

(1)

the first Type 42 guided-missile destroyer

HMS Sheffield;

>

(ii) the first Type 21 frigate, HMS Amazon;

(iii)

the Sea Dart (surface-to-air), Exocet (surface-

to-surface) and Tkara (anti-submarine) guided-

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CONFIDENTIAL