BRITAIN'S DEFENCES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21323, 16 November 1934, Page 11

BRITAIN'S DEFENCES

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS LORD MOTTISTONE TALKS OF CONSCRIPTION LONDON, November 14. In the House of Lords Lord Mottistone asked the Government clearly to define Britain's needs in national and Imperial defence, with a view to securing adequate recruiting in all three branches. Without a great and sustained improvement in recruiting the Government would be forced to raise the necessary strengths by conscription. Earl Beatty supported the motion and complained that a section of the press was leading the country to believe that the navy was no longer necessary, and could be replaced by the air force. Lord Hailsham, Minister for War, in reply, said that the modern development of warfare in nowise diminished the importance of the older arms of the service. There was no less need for defence on sea and land. Capital ships were still an essential element in the battle fleet. It was hoped to reach an agreement avoiding competition in naval armaments, while leaving Britain free to maintain the fleet on which the Empire depended at the strength necessary to her security. Lord Hailsham said that no difficulty had been experienced in the necessary expansion of the air force. The Air Ministry had already decided on 11 sites for aerodromes. Th- Government was straining every nerve to produce an atmosphere in which an international disarmament agreement would be possible, failing this the Government did not propose to disregard its responsibility and disarm unilaterally.