EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 28, 12 November 1936, Page 6

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

USE OF HOME LAND FORCES. EXPANSION OF AIR SQUADRONS. (United Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, November 10. Dealing with Britain’s land forces in a speech in the House of Commons, Sir Thomas Inskip (Minister for the Coordination of Defence), said if Britain were ever involved in a war she could never give up until she was safe again. The Government was looking to-day primarily not to protect the frontier at home, but to defend and guard the vital lines of the Empire’s communications in co-operation with the navy. There was a small force at home, which must be ready to go anywhere. It went recently to the Eastern Mediterranean for a very necessary mission. That force was absolutely the minimum. The territorial army was really the second line of Britain’s land forces. Dealing with the shadow scheme for aero-engine production, Sir Thomas Inskip said, Lord Nuffield’s resources and experience were not going to be lost to the Government, and he hoped that in a short time the scope of his services, would he enlarged. ' Sir Thomas said the expansion of the Royal Air Force was proceeding. Squadrons were continually being forniicd and built up to full strength. The total number of squadrons at homo was 80, including 16 auxiliary squadrons. That figure excluded the Fleet Air Arm and squadrons abroad. The programme included large provisions for reserves, which would make it possible at a later stage, and if desired at mobilisation, to increase the striking force or weight of any initial blow. Rejecting the proposal for an executive ministry of supply, with compulsory powers, Sir Thomas Inskip said he believed the House would be wise to take the long view and satisfy, as far as possible, the needs of the country without stopping export trade, on which the financial position of the country depended. “We are still an island and, when all has been said and done, we have a long start over anyone ill-advised to meddle with our freedom. If we cared to use our great resources, I cannot seo any reason why that freedom should ever be in jeopardy.”—British' Official Wireless.