The Hunt report, which proposed the disbandment of the B-Specials and disarming of the RUC, caused deep unease in the Stormont cabinet. The cabinet held four meetings about the terms of the report, three on October 7th, 1969, alone.
On October 6th, 1969, the prime minister, Maj James Chichester-Clark, informed his colleagues that the inspector general of the RUC, Mr Anthony Peacocke, might be expected to resign when the Hunt report was published.
In anticipation of this, the home secretary had suggested Sir Arthur Young, the commissioner of police for the City of London, as a possible successor.
The minister of development, Mr Brian Faulkner, raised strong objections to the taking of a rush decision or to the accepting of any "dictation from the home secretary" over this appointment.
The minister of state, Mr John Taylor, considered that the restoration of confidence could best be achieved by the appointment of someone from outside Northern Ireland. Ministers agreed with the prime minister that a younger man than Sir Arthur Young should be appointed.
On Hunt's proposed abolition of the Ulster Special Constabulary, Mr Faulkner reserved judgment on the acceptance of any proposal "disbanding" the USC as this might involve a breach of faith by the government.
Ministers generally accepted that they should not agree to any proposal which did not allow for the reorganisation of the Special Constabulary or its absorption into an acceptable reserve force.
In a further cabinet, on October 7th, 1969, ministers warned that the handing over of security and the apparent disbandment of the USC could produce a violent reaction and provoke a civil war.