THE DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21940, 14 November 1936, Page 15

THE DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

MR WINSTON CHURCHILL’S CRUTCISII progress OF REARMAMENT SCHEME (limaH orncixL lanw) (Received November 13, 7.5 jmb.) RUGBY, November 11 During the debate on defence In the House of Commons, Mr Winston Churchill strongly criticised the Government for its delay in its progress with the rearmament programme. He urged that the House should demand a parliamentary enquiry to make a brief report to the House, either of reassurance or Of suggestions for remedying the situation. _. , The Prime Minister (Ifr Stanley Baldwin), replying, said that tae Dominions had anxiety about the state ofworidpohtics, and they had writhe Government their own defences. Tne problems to be dealt with, Imqpjy because of modern developments m the air, were complicated and Mifling. He had become more than ever convinced during the debate o* two things:.— _.. vtA (1) That every endeavour which they could use in diplomacy and foreign policy, and in possible way, should be directed to keeping peace in Europe. M _, (2) If that peace should unhappily be broken, Britain should be prepared. Those two things were not necessarily contradictory. It was quite impossible to give information regarding Britain’s defensive strategy and her plan for meeting an wr attack. If there were two things that would be welcomed by foreign countries it would be a clear explanation of those questions. Britain was, because of her geographical position and Imperial Interests and communications, ao placed in regard to offence and defence that she had to look to more than one service for protection. So long as there was an Empire, both the Navy and Air Force would be required, and just as one force would have to protect the heart of the Empire, the other force would have to preserve its communications. A Tremendous Task Mr Baldwin said the completion of the programme for meeting Hie cumulative deficiencies of • many years was a tremendous task. The defence programmes were making good progress. The question of the food supply of the country in time' of war Vas in process of solution. A scheme of rationing had been drawn up, which could be used if emergency arose, and the Minister for Agriculture had produced a scheme for increased production fa case of war.

The production of aeroplane engines under the 1936 programme was entirely satisfactory. Toe Government was determined to pro—forward the plan already worked out, and to modify and expand It if necessary in the light of developments, but it did not feel justified in bringing about the dislocation id trade, which must follow any attempt to proceed on the more lavish scale advocated in some quarters. Plans for coast defence and antiaircraft defence of the ports of entry had been drawn up. They were constantly under review because of the constantly increasing range of aircraft. The Government’s attitude towards the question of a Ministry for Supply, about which there were differences of opinion between the Government and Mr Churchill, was the considered judgment of the Cabinet in the light of all the fectfc