AIR DEFENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 41, 27 November 1937, Page 7

AIR DEFENCE.

EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS.

PLANS IN BRITAIN OUTLINED.

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

LONDON, November 26. The Home,. Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), speaking in the House of Commons ' during the debate on the Air Raids Precautions Bill, revealed that .the Committee for Imperial Defence was working out plans for the evacunr tiori' of civilians from London and Britain’s other large cities in case it should be considered necessary in the event of war.

The “Daily Mail’’ says this is the first disclosure that the Government is considering a large-scale evacuation as a defensive measure against air attack. Sir Samuel Hoare said certain plans were already in existence, but the Government intended to make them more comprehensive. “We will have them .ready for any emergency, should one arise,” he said. “It will rest with the Government to say when they will be put in operation.” As,soon as. the bill became law, Sir Samuel Hoare added, the Government intended to have a much more active system of training, including more “black-outs” over the country’s principal areas. SERVICE IN ROYAL AIR FORCE. NEARLY 17,000 APPLICANTS. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. There have been nearly. 17,000 applicants for 3850 short-service commissions available in the Royal Air Force as a'result’of the expansion under the Government’s rearmament programme. Of the new officers 3500 have already completed their flight training qr are in course of training. ( The total strength 'of the Royal Air Force has more than doubled in two years.