§ 28. Mr. Critchleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to the situation on the southern flank of NATO in reaching his decision to withdraw United Kingdom forces from the Mediterranean.
§ Mr. MasonAs the 1975 statement on Defence Estimates explains, some reduction in our current NATO contribution is inevitable if the objectives of our defence review are to be achieved. The Government have, therefore, had to make decisions about the areas in which our defence contribution to the alliance could most effectively be concentrated. The statement sets out clearly which priority areas we have chosen and the reasons for choosing them. It also indicates our willingness to make certain changes affecting the southern region to help meet the main points of NATO concern.