BRITAIN'S AIR STRENGTH.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17720, 23 March 1923, Page 9

BRITAIN'S AIR STRENGTH.

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. (II CABLB—PRBSS ASSOCIATION—COFYiMOBT.) (ACSTBAUAN AND N.S. CABLE ASSOCIATION) (Received March 22nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 2J. In the House of Lords, the Earl of Birkenhead drew attention to the relative air etrengM'S of Britain t-.nd Franco. He said the matter was of tho utmost importance, involving national and Imperial security. Tho peace establishment, of the air force of .Franco was more than twice that of Britain. Britain hnd also undertaken a grave risk in regard to her Navy, and had nob gained a yard in tho direction of a. European settlement.

No German Menace. Lord Birkenhead assured tho House that, from private information ho had received, the reports of German air preparations wore- greatly exagjiorated, and no German air menace existed at tho moment. Need for Preparedness. Viscount Haldanosnid he did nob belicvo the people of France dreamed of hostilities against Britain. Never- , theless, just aa before the war wo had to maintain a strong Navy against emergencies, now wo must havo a strong Air Force. Lord Grey's Fear. Viscount Grey was of the opinion that French and British security, in tho long run, woro both dependent on tho maintenance of Anglo-French friendship. He feared we wero now on the brink of a new race in hrniamonts in the matter) of air power, unless a senso of general security could bo produced in Europe. Tliis was only achiovoable by making tho League of Nations' mo.ro comprehensive, stronger, and moj'o real. ■Whole Subject Being Considered. Tha Duke of Sutherland, Under-Sec-retary of State for the Air. replying to the debate, said if the Committee of Imperial Defence, which was now reviewing the whole subject, held tho view that the circumstances wwrranted a larger Air Force it was quite jjossible that a larger force would be raised. The Marquess of Salisbury, Lord President of the Council, assui'ed the House that the Government was fully, alive to the importance of the subject. The whole question of British air strength and the safety of London was being considered very seriously. The discussion then ended. Britain's Inferior Position. Sir Archibald' Sinclair (National Liberal, Caithness), speaking on the Air Estimates in the House of Commons, said it was impossible, to regard without disquiet tl» inferiority of Britain's Air Force in relation to those of European Powers. He deplored the slow awakening of public opinion in this matter. It was seriously to bo considered what would happen if a hostile air force obtained the mastery of the air over these islands. Aviation had reacher a stage when we had to consider whether it would, in the future, neutralise sea power.

In the House of Commons, on March 14th, the Secretary of State for the Air, Sir Samuel Hoare, introduced the Air Force Estimates for 1923-24, which total £12,000,000, compared with £lO,895,000 for 1922-23, The increase is due to the decision to increase the number of home defence squadrons, and' also to increase the amount for experimental research work. The total includes £5,000,000 for services in the Middle East. The Minister said the past year was One of steady progress. There was a general feeling of anxiety about our air strength. In comparing it with that of Prance, which had more fully developed her air power, no one must form the impression that he believed that war was even remotely possible between the two great Allies. In 1925 the French would have 2180 service maohihes, and this country only 675. The disparity was overWhelming. Was it justifiable? If we applied a one-Power standard for the air it would mean an immediate increase in tho net estimates of £28,000,000. In 1918 the Royal Air Force comprised 30,122 officers and 263,410 other ranks, and 3300 aeroplanes. To-day We had 3071 officers and 27,499 other ranks, and 371 first-Hue neroplanes. At present, in the absence of quantity,. we must concentrate on quality. From the point of view of economy, humanity, and commonsenso, we ought to try and avoid a new lap in the old race for armaments.

He was preparing a scheme to enable reservists to train with certain selected firms, and he hoped in a few years to create a reserve of 1000 officers and 12,000 men. In the present estimates he sought eighteen additional Squadrohe, including three for co-operation with tho Navy. He denied that the Navy was Starved in this . respect. Our naval air work was stages ahead of any other Great Power.