British civil servant

In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is indeed selling these aircraft carriers of less than [-] tons to different countries. Candidate countries, including but not limited to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and India, even want to sell one to Iran.

Of course, in order to make the French feel that it was worth the money, General Mountbatten still turned his attention back to his old troops, the Royal Mediterranean Fleet, the Mediterranean Fleet with Malta and Cyprus as important naval bases, together with the east and west ends of the Mediterranean Sea, still Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, which are controlled by the United Kingdom, can help France cut off support from other countries to the rebel forces.

"Now there are 60 French troops in Algeria, how many locals are there in Algeria?" Mountbatten really didn't know much about Algeria, so he couldn't help asking his daughter who had explored there.

"More than 800 million." Pamela Mountbatten hesitated, "The exact number cannot be calculated, this is just an approximation."

"The French really take it seriously." Mountbatten chuckled after hearing this. "Most of the country's military power is in North Africa. I don't know how many other troops are under the command of NATO."

60 troops suppressed Algeria with a total population of more than 800 million. Mountbatten could not think of a reason for failure.

In this case, it is estimated that the premise that France will win, the sale of two aircraft carriers is the icing on the cake, and Paris is still willing. This is a win-win situation.

When the old father was drafting a report on the refitting potential of the Grudge-class aircraft carrier, which was almost zero, and was about to recommend sealing up to the Secretary of the Navy, Pamela Mountbatten went to the two civilian chiefs of the Ministry of Finance, the former cabinet secretary, and the current Ministry of Finance The Permanent Under-Secretary, and his deputy, Frank.

Frank didn't expect that the chatter that passed by Kuala Lumpur before returning to London would be approached so soon.

"Actually, I can't do much. I can only settle accounts for the Minister of the Exchequer Gatzke, which saves a lot of expenses." Frank smiled wryly, and repeated what he said in Kuala Lumpur, "The most important thing is whether Paris has This intention, if I have this intention, I can only exert influence from the side, and our chancellor of the exchequer can't be fooled."

"How easy to fool?" Pamela Mountbatten was curious, which was a high evaluation.

"He can really be a civil servant." Frank shook his head and said to himself, "So I... the Chancellor of the Exchequer wants to pass any decision, and I don't agree with it."

"Me?" Pamela Mountbatten murmured suspiciously, before changing the subject, "Maybe I should ask Sir Edward if there is anything he can do. After all, he is a gentleman with rich experience."

"It's not that serious." Hearing the name of his immediate boss, Frank immediately changed his attitude, "We each performed our duties and never interfered, all for the benefit of the society. Optimistic outcome."

"Indeed, my friend." Pamela Mountbatten was very satisfied with this answer, "I heard that Sir Edward also talked about retiring. It seems that the future of the Ministry of Finance still depends on you."

"Pamela, don't say that. Our Ministry of Finance is just a small department. There are only 120 three senior officials and 460 seven secretaries. That's all." Frank immediately expressed absolute approval to his immediate boss, "As for who The future permanent undersecretary of the Treasury, who knows?"

"That way I can rest assured." Pamela Mountbatten smiled slightly, "My husband said that you are his approved colleague."

"I also agree with Allen very much." Frank also reciprocated, responding positively to positively.

Pamela Mountbatten has left, and it is too early to talk about the rewards in the future. Her return to London is not just about arms sales. She has deployed a survey team with experience in maritime exploration to find cities that will help the urbanization of the Malaya colonies. Planning talents, as well as people in vocational schools, is no small matter.

According to the colonial government report released by the Malayan colonies, “The professional knowledge and skills of the people are the “intangible capital” that constitutes prosperity, and the cultivation of such knowledge and skills is the guarantee of economic development. It was decided to put industrial schools and agricultural schools , commercial schools, merchant shipping schools, industrial tutorial schools and apprenticeship schools are all included in a vocational school system. Industrial schools serve as secondary technical education schools, with divisions of labor, agriculture, fishery, commerce and merchant shipping. It also enrolls graduates of higher primary schools, The vocational training period is three years."

In addition to vocational schools, the Malayan colony will establish four universities in Singapore, Malacca, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, which rely on urbanization construction as the key development, as the educational support of British higher education to the Malayan colony.

Of course, the four universities are a long-term plan, and such a large amount of investment is not needed at the beginning, but the teacher groups who go to the Malaya colonies will receive more favorable treatment than those in the mainland.

In a high-end apartment in Kuala Lumpur, Ingrid Bergman, who was wearing a men's shirt, was busy making French baguettes. Suddenly, the door of the bedroom was pushed open. Ti Rama came out and asked, "Is he awake?"

"I'm sleeping soundly." Heidi Lama raised the corners of her mouth, as if thinking of something wonderful.

"Phew, don't tire him out." Ingrid Bergman continued her baguette tour with a distressed tone.

"Oh, it seems that you have worked hard." Heidi Lamarr rolled her eyes, obviously so hard last night.

Ingrid Bergman blushed, and quibbled, "I mean let him have a good rest. He is tired from work. Put down the bath water and let him get up and relax."

"What's the point of taking a shower." Heidi Lama didn't take it seriously. If there was any dirty place, wouldn't it all be kissed clean?Now why worry about being tired, without so many tricks, he will be tired?

"How about making food?" Alan Wilson staggered out with sleepy eyes, missing the scene just now.

"I'll put water for your bath." Ingrid Bergman floated over and led the man to the bathroom. The food can be cooked later.

After a while, Heidi Lamarr could hear the looming voice of applauding for love, coming from the bathroom, gritted her silver teeth, "Don't tire him? Huh..."

The time to satisfy the appetite was slightly delayed. Alan Wilson, who had finished his morning exercise, devoured it voraciously, making no secret of his aggressive desire for food. The two actresses were much more reserved, and listened to the man's advice with a radiant face.

"If you want, you can get a share of the urban construction in Malacca. But you have to build a new company in Newfoundland to participate. French capital entering the British colony is still easy to be discovered." After the battle last night, Alan Wilson was clearly In the state of getting carried away, old mistakes have been committed, and sufficient returns must be given.

Chapter 866 Resentment Level Arms Sales

Even if it hasn't officially started yet, Alan Wilson already has an idea for the four major cities in the plan. Singapore and Penang Mountbatten Group and the four major Hong Kong families must have a share. Kuala Lumpur can be handed over to the local and Malaya There is only one capital left, and Malacca City is now going to distribute the benefits to the two actresses.

This is already the limit, he can open a back door, just like the two queens of the movie did the same to him, but he can't hand over the urban capitals of the four major cities to them.

"This? We've never done this kind of business." Ingrid Bergman was a little lacking in confidence, with a look of embarrassment on her face.

"It doesn't matter, there is no beginning." Heidi Lamarr, on the contrary, said to Ingrid Bergman, "He won't harm us unless he wants us to sleep on the street with our children."

Alan Wilson smiled wryly with his mouth open, "Sleeping on the street, I'm not that kind of person."

"Otherwise, I'm sorry for the treatment we gave you." Heidi Lamar glanced at Ingrid Bergman meaningfully.

This reminded Alan Wilson of the good memories of yesterday, and he felt that it was okay not to go to work today.

"But this time the city construction, the colonial government is not prepared to make more money, it should be done in moderation." Alan Wilson solemnly instructed that the two movie queens will make profits from this, but they will not reach the sky in one step.

The real estate bubble has appeared more than once since the First World War.Every time it appears, the people facing it are confident that this time is different, but in reality?It's the same every time.

If you want to be really different, a fully planned economy like the Soviet Union, then there will be no bubbles, but there will be deflation.Deflation, at least while the USSR was alive, was never completely resolved, only moderated at various times.

The current policy of the Malayan colony is really just cutting leeks on urban construction, but only once.

After this round is over, the next time is either ten years or 20 years later, and we will not continue to use our brains on real estate.

As for the income this time, Alan Wilson feels that [-] million to [-] million pounds is enough to complete the bending task.

This number is not large. The Gold Coast in Africa now has an income of [-] million pounds on its books.Are the residents of the Malayan colony still inferior to the blacks on the Gold Coast?impossible!

In his spare time, a large part of the work of the High Commissioner in the Civil Service is to see what the United States is doing, what France is doing, and then what Indonesia is doing.If there is no major event sent to him in the colony, he can wait to get off work.

Colonial Malaya is a small department, but there are also 160 district commissioners, 2 high-level officials, and more than [-] civil servants who benefit society in this remote colony.

Redundant officials are not enough. The civil servants in the Malaya colonies are not as large as the garrison.Therefore, it is absolutely reasonable for him to let the major sultans focus on the garrison before. Good steel is used wisely.

After work, Alan Wilson, who had changed places with Shentong, arrived at Anna's residence. The little dragoon who had worked so hard to accompany him here was gone. Every time he thought of people traveling thousands of miles to accompany him, he always felt a burst of fire in his heart.

"Didn't those two movie queens come here? With your Vivian, you can still think of me." Anna was very rude, accusing the man who was in a hurry, with her hands pinching her waist quite forcefully, "Everyone It's been so long, my stomach hasn't moved, of course I don't care, who made my man so popular."

"Honey, it's heartbreaking for you to talk like that. You know, I've always been responsive to you." Alan Wilson stepped forward, with one hand already up the stairs.

"I'm doing it for your own good. Those old women are poison and will drain you dry." Anna hummed and said, "Even if I am not as good as they were when they were young, I have been screened out. The most important thing is that I young age."

Huh... In order to appease the dissatisfaction of the little dragoons, Allen Wilson could only engage in a verbal argument, temporarily suppressing the woman's protest, "There will be careers, children, and everything..."

"Don't change the lines of our movie." Anna broke free from the man's mouth and said aggrievedly.

The little dragon cavalry has been very irritable recently. I don't know if it is because the battle situation did not go according to plan and is in an unstable state.

I always have a little temper with Alan Wilson from time to time, but they are all within the acceptable range.

If it is contaminated with the fault of a boxer, Alan Wilson will definitely change to another attitude. Anna obviously has a certain degree in her heart, and she will control the playfulness to a certain degree, so that it will not only be taken seriously, but will not be annoying.

I don't know if when I was studying in Gatsner, I just focused on the psychological game.

Anna carefully grasped the fire. Did she know that besides herself and the two actresses, there was another Vivian living in Malaya with her son. If the trouble got too much, the man would have a place to go, and the equipment was fully equipped there to carry his bag at any time. Check in.

The urban construction plan this time naturally needs the support of the Chinese compradors to contribute. Alan Wilson kept calling the big compradors who have passed their infancy, and planned how to stimulate the potential of the Malayan comprador group.

As for the cities reserved for these big compradors, it is Kuala Lumpur at the foot. Generally, there are only two places where real estate can preserve its value the most. It is either a political center or an economic center. There are many countries like the United Kingdom where the political center and the economic center are integrated.But the planned Malayan colony was not.

Singapore will play the role of a transit port. Penang and Malacca are also important ports, but there is only one political center, and that is the colonial capital Kuala Lumpur. From this point of view, Alan Wilson is quite good to these big compradors. It is the conscience of imperialism that one of the big cities is separated and handed over to the Chinese to build the city.

The future of the entire Malaya colony is in his mind, and the big compradors who know the inside story are of course flocking to him, lest they will be left behind in this round of competition, they have been surrounding the High Commissioner these days to express their loyalty.

"I believe you are all reliable people." Faced with the hospitality of the big compradors, Alan Wilson did not reject people thousands of miles away, pretending to be high-spirited, on the contrary hinted that everyone has a part in this matter, "Each of your companies Everyone has a share. I believe that after the completion of this project, your wealth will increase to a higher level. Of course, at this stage, you do not have the strength to fully undertake it. Compared with those of the Swire Group, you lack too much. You can only carry out second-hand contracting in downstream industries. , you all add up, it is not bad if you can make the same profit as the Swire Group. Okay, I will make a one-buy price and guarantee that all of you will not earn less than the Swire Group. Now that I have finished speaking, who agrees? Who opposes? "

Su Yang, Gu Ke, Tian Qianqiu and more than a dozen people all nodded, expressing no objection. Alan Wilson was very satisfied, joking with everyone, asking about his original place of origin, and getting closer.

"Where is Coca from?" Alan Wilson asked the No. [-] person in the comprador, of course, just casually.

"My ancestral home is Changsha, Lord Zhongtang." When Gu Ke opened his mouth, he noticed that Alan Wilson had a strange expression on his face, "What's wrong? Lord Zhongtang has heard about it, and he is really knowledgeable."

"I'm sorry!" Alan Wilson said respectfully. It turns out that he is a talent from Changsha, the capital of boxing. How could he dare to make irresponsible remarks, not to mention anything else, who made him a man.

However, he didn't do anything to Coca just because of his native place. In the final analysis, Coca is also a hard-working person, who made him also a man. He was born in Quandu, which is already worthy of sympathy.

Reaffirming the role of the navy and making it recognized by the public is indeed Mountbatten's first priority after taking office as First Sea Lord.

He believes that only when others admit that the Royal Navy's ships can become large-scale locomotive rocket carriers in the future can other matters be brought up on the agenda.

This was the first cornerstone of Admiralty policy under Mountbatten as First Sea Lord.The second cornerstone is guaranteeing support to amphibious strike forces operating around the world to protect UK interests.Mountbatten was realistic and strategic when it came to applying for government grants.

The Royal Navy is in the midst of transformation, so naturally it cannot be as capricious as before. It can only treat the Royal Navy as an ordinary arm and wait for opportunities. Fortunately, with the progress of Australia's arms sales, the construction plan of a new aircraft carrier has been put on the agenda.

In the past few days, he has completed the resentment-class aircraft carrier with no modification potential, and is preparing to submit a feasibility report for storage.To the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Air Force.

After doing this, General Mountbatten will wait for the initiative of the French with peace of mind.It really didn't make him wait too long.George Pidur then came to London to visit the UK.

Georges Pidour's working experience can be seen in the speed of French government changes in recent years. In the second half of [-], he presided over the coalition government. From [-] to [-], he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs. He served as French Prime Minister for the second time in [-], then served as Minister of Defense three years ago, and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs again last year.

During George Dupier's trip to London, in addition to calling on Britain to support France, he immediately took out a bargaining chip to look forward to Britain's support, expressing his desire to buy two British Vengeance-class aircraft carriers.

Because of this request, the cabinet meeting was held directly under the auspices of Attlee. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance, and the Secretary of the Navy gathered together to discuss the intention of George Pidur's visit.

Unable to come up with a consensus in a short time, Attlee started with the data and asked the Minister of Finance and the Secretary of the Navy to explain the situation.

As a result, Frank's report on the financial pressure caused by the Grudge-class aircraft carrier and the sealed report submitted by Mountbatten appeared in front of Prime Minister Attlee through the hands of Norman Brook.

Chapter 867 Simplified and not streamlined

"It's very...heavy." Attlee held two paper bags as thick as a finger. Attlee, who was born in 73, is now [-] years old.

When Churchill was in the House of Commons, he was long regarded as recalcitrant and dying.But now, Attlee is not much better than Churchill at that time, and it is inevitable that he will suffer from lack of energy when he gets older.

From the second half of his second term, Attlee also began to rely on the Cabinet Office to share the huge workload to reduce his workload. In all fairness, he has not had a high-intensity job for a long time.

Otherwise, how can the Sleeping King satisfy all departments in the United States?Although voters are not all satisfied.

After trying to read for a while, Attlee gave up his efforts and asked Norman Brooke directly, "Norman, do you have a more concise report, or do you know the general framework?"

"Of course, dear Prime Minister." Norman Brooke was not surprised by Attlee's behavior. All of this was within his expectations, and he directly introduced, "The main purpose of Frank's report is to judge the trend of the Royal Navy's structural optimization. , and considering the reduction of military expenditures from the perspective of saving costs, let me say that the Vengeance-class aircraft carrier currently involved, I simply calculated an account. If we agree to the French arms sales request, we can save a lot of logistical expenses. If you get the money, you can also earn a modification fee.”

"Of course, the specific arms sales model still needs the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The final figure is different whether we refit at home, or the French think that they don't need help and take the aircraft carrier back for refit."

"As for the report of the First Sea Lord, although it is from a different perspective, it is essentially the same thing." Norman Brooke picked up General Mountbatten's report again, "essentially the Royal Navy is in its own perspective. The optimization plan given shows that General Mountbatten is still a very enlightened admiral, a respectable and professional naval leader."

Attlee nodded, and heard Norman Brooke continue, "Respect is the Prime Minister. First of all, let me briefly introduce the streamlining and integration plan of the Royal Navy for the next five to ten years, starting with the aircraft carrier."

The Prime Minister was silent and listened to Norman Brooke's introduction. Leaving aside the battleships, even the latest battleship Vanguard has now arrived in the faithful Malaya. The Royal Navy's currently active battleships are all in the Pacific Fleet. Logistical maintenance is borne by the Malayan colony.

This has allowed the Royal Navy to still look like the framework of the global navy from 200 to the present ten years.Although a number of warships were dismantled and sold, the total tonnage is still above [-] million tons.

As for the aircraft carrier, in 23, the Royal Navy included, but was not limited to, four Glorious-class ships, two Eagle-class ships, two Vengeance-class ships, and fifteen Giant-class ships that had not yet been built. [-] aircraft carriers.

At that time, there was also the Malta class, and now the Queen-class aircraft carrier has started construction, and the four improved Centaurs of the Giant class have also been retained and continued to be built. Including this part, there are a total of 29 aircraft carriers.

After the war, Britain encountered financial difficulties and continued to sell aircraft carriers to reduce the expenditure of the Royal Navy.However, financial pressure has eased over time, and there are still many aircraft carriers currently resident in ports.

"In the report of the First Sea Lord, the Eagle class and the Queen class must be retained. Although the tonnage of the Centaur class is slightly smaller than that of the Glory class and the Vengeance class, because of the late construction, the problem of increasing the number of carrier-based aircraft has been considered. .So the modification potential is greater than that of the Glory class and the Vengeance class. However, selling the Vengeance class, Glory class, and Giant class may be the best result. It is not unacceptable to seal them up, but it is only to delay the dismantling time."

Norman Brook flipped through the streamlined and integrated part, then pushed it over and put it in front of Attlee and said, "Regarding the aging fleet in the Malaya colony, the battle order of the Royal Navy in the next five to ten years will be two to two Three new aircraft carriers, two Queen-class ships, and four Centaur-class ships, the undismantled and sealed parts of the Vengeance-class, Glory-class, and Giant-class may be retained."

"Then five to ten years later, the configuration of the Royal Navy will be like this: about ten aircraft carriers of all levels, as well as legacy aircraft carriers depending on the situation, four cruisers, about seventy destroyers, seventy frigates, and a different number Waiting for the submarine force. All of this is not counting the Pacific battleship formation that has lost its combat effectiveness by then, with a tonnage of about 150 million tons."

Norman Brook played a trick here. As we all know, the battleship formation of the Malaya colony is also very large, with a tonnage close to 60 tons. If the battleship with poor performance is placed in the mode of continuing service in Malaya, it will continue If this is the case, then the so-called streamlined integration is impossible to talk about. The size of the Royal Navy envisioned by this report in ten years is likely to be the same as it is now.

Norman Brooke was an honest man, and if Prime Minister Attlee raised objections at this time, he would definitely tell the truth.But the great Prime Minister didn't ask, so he didn't need to say that the so-called streamlined integration can't reduce even a ton.

Although Prime Minister Attlee was more enlightened than Churchill, he was a prime minister from the old days. He had also seen the days when the British Empire ordered the world to declare war on Germany with its colonies, dominions, and dozens of political units.

The 50-ton streamlining plan is enough to satisfy him. He is not yet ready for the Royal Navy to become a second-rate navy. Normal replacement?"

"It is true, honorable Prime Minister, most of the Glorious, Vengeful and Giant classes will disappear from the current battle sequence. It can be said that General Mountbatten may bleed in his heart."

"There is no way to do this. Wartime is different from peacetime. After World War I, the Royal Navy also faced a similar situation."

"Yes, many battleships were sold at that time, just like the sale of aircraft carriers today." Hearing Attlee mention the past of selling warships after World War I, Norman Brook agreed deeply. At that time, it was like this at this moment.

The new aircraft carrier that is about to start construction is bigger than the Queen class that has not been in service for a long time. From this point of view, there is really no need to keep aircraft carriers below the Vengeance class. The cost is not small.

Compared with the big guys in the future, although the grudge class has a tonnage of [-] tons, it can only be called a little guy.

"So, Norman, you also think there's nothing wrong with selling the Grudge?" Attlee looked to Norman Brook for advice.

"Dear Prime Minister, this is a tough decision you make alone." Norman Brook started joking, "Of course, if you ask me, this is a good way to save costs. We can propose some additional conditions, For example, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal should help the French to check more and prevent any dangerous goods from flowing into Algeria, and the rest is up to the French themselves."

"You're right. This is an additional condition that you can get the gratitude of the French without paying the cost." Unknowingly, Prime Minister Attlee has already approved in his heart that this arms sale is extremely important to France.

Who doesn't matter?Even if Prime Minister Attlee has already made a decision, in order to eliminate interference as much as possible, the work is not yet finished.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gatzke is a cabinet member who is very vigilant about France's integration of Europe. He is very disgusted to hear about the ideals of the United States of Europe. Frank's words have changed in another way.

France's idea of ​​European integration is worthy of vigilance, but it can be clearly seen that the circles that insist on the Algerian war and European integration are not one.

"My dear minister, these two things cannot be done at the same time. If Algeria can be part of France and carry out European integration, then the entire Commonwealth of Nations can join European integration. If this is the case, of course there is no problem for us in the UK. The Commonwealth of Nations is much stronger than the French one."

Gatzke attaches great importance to or is very vigilant about the issue of European integration. Frank knows this very well, so he takes this as an entry point.