BRITAIN’S LAND FORCES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 13

BRITAIN’S LAND FORCES

USE IN EMPIRE DEFENCE MINISTER REVIEWS POSITION STEADY EXPANSION OF AIR SQUADRONS (BRITISH OFFICIAL 'WIRELESS.) (Received November 11, 7.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 10. Dealing with Britain’s land forces in a speech in the House of Commons, Sir Thomas Inskip (Minister for the Co-ordination 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 be enlarged. Sir Thomas Inskip said the expansion of the Royal Air Force was proceeding. Squadrons were continually being formed and built up to full strength. The total number of squadrons at home 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 enough to meddle with our freedom. If we cared to use our great resources, I cannot see any reason why that freedom should ever be v in jeopardy.”

Reliance on Navy

Sir Thomas said that the navy continued to be the first line of defence. The protection of the home bases of the fleet and ports was the prime necessity which had brought the Government to the consideration of the need for cooperation between the navy and air force. It was the Government’s aim to develop as a deterrent as powerful a fighting force as it could, and the Government believed that in capacity, speed, and range Britain’s new types of machines were not inferior to any that existed abroad. He was not going to admit that the navy had met an opponent that it could not master. The navy knew how to grapple with mines and torpedoes, and he believed that the same result could be achieved by the navy in relation to the air menace. Let anyone ask a sailor who was familiar with the intense training in the Mediterranean how he would regard the possibility of an air attack and the dangers of an air attack. Practice during those weeks had produced a remarkable change in the view taken by sailors as to the efficiency of the weapons with which the navy was provided.

“I refuse to believe that another war is inevitable if we take the proper precautions,” added Sir Thomas.

“Orders have been given for new and powerful guns required for air defence,” added the Minister. “The air force must be as powerful as the navy in its own sphere. The Government is planning for every contingency in defence.”