TNAG-0538-FCO40-633-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 59

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Mr Jackson (Defence) Stuart (HKD)

Mr Bevan (SWPD)

Mr Chalmers (SAD)

Mr Ewans (EAD)

Mr Lucan (MED)

Mr Goodison (SEED)

Mr Barrett (SWED)

Mr Preston (Caribbean)/Mr Carless (LAD)

separate

copies

DEFENCE REVIEW:

1.

CONSULTATION WITH ALLIES

See separate comments to 1 Jac

P/A

12/2

I attach copies of a draft OPD paper which was discussed briefly at a meeting held by Mr Hockaday (DUS (P) MOD) this morning. We have been asked for comments.

2.

The timetable is very tight. OFD will be taking the Defence Review on 19 February. The draft paper is to be considered by the Chiefs of Staff this afternoon and by the Defence Council in the Ministry of Defence on the afternoon of 13 February. Mr Hockaday will be holding a further meeting at 9.30 am on 13 February to put the finishing touches to the draft. Comments from Departments will therefore be required by close of play on 12 February at the latest.

3.

Any comments on the non-NATO section of the draft (paras 3 and Annex A) should be sent to Mr Jackson as soon as possible. In the light of a critical motion put down by

2

Mr Newans and other Backbench Labour MPs the Ministry of Defence think it will be necessary to say rather more about Masirah/Oman. Mr Hudson (AUS (D Staff)) will be circulating a new draft for the relevant passages separately.

11.

•

The Ministry of Defence are preparing a revised draft for the paper and its annexes which they hope to have ready for circulation this evening. Copies will be distributed as soon as they are received. The non-NATO sections (apart from the ones dealing with Oman and Masirah) are unlikely to be changed very much.

5.

Western Organisations Department will provide comments on the NATO sections. I am therefore not circulating the draft Annex C. I have also refrained from circulating the present draft to Annex D since a number of changes were discussed at this morning's meeting.

Raghu

RJT McLaren

11 February 1975 cc for info:

Western Organisations Dept.

Sir G Arthur, Mr Wilford, Mr Thomson, Mr Weir Mr Morgan

CONFIDENTIAL