Papers 15-51

This file contains cabinet memoranda for the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee from 18 January to 29 April 1966. Those relevant to the Gulf are the memoranda concerning:

• South Arabia, and in particular the suggestion that upon its independence in 1967, the UK’s defence obligation to it should also cease; the defence review of the Aden base; and the nature of its future constitution, with various consultations (16)
• Forces and facilities in the Gulf, and the British military commitment to the area after withdrawal from Aden (22)
• The defence review, and its revised force structure and costs, including commitments in the Gulf (31)
• Saudi Arabia’s request for a fighter squadron, to combat hostilities in the Yemen border area (38, 40)