TOP SECRET The next Ministerial meeting on the Radical Review would be held on Monday, 26th October. Subsequent to that meeting, the Minister of Defence would produce his final report which would then go to the full Cabinet Committee. From the point of view of the Chiefs of Stafi Committee, it was important that the Foreign Secretary and the Colonial Secretary should be present at the relevant Ministerial discussions. Since the whole problem under discussion struck at the fundamental roots of N.A.T.0., it would clearly be difficult to devise suitable terms of reference for a further study on this matter. THE COMMITTEL agreed that, since reductions in defence expenditure were bound to be required, it would be necessary to give great thought to the important issues raised in their discussion above, THE COMMITTEE: - Instructed the Directors of Plans to take note of their views as expressed in discussion and to ponder on these matters. MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, S.W.1. 21ST OCTOBER, 1953. - 4 - TOP SECRET
