BRITISH ARMAMENT PROGRAMME

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22371, 7 April 1938, Page 11

BRITISH ARMAMENT PROGRAMME

MINISTER’S STATEMENT ON POLICY ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LABOUR EXPECTED (BxmsH ornciAj, wireuess.) RUGBY, April 5. The Minister for the Co-ordina-tion of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip) speaking in London, said he was receiving large numbers of letters from people of all classes, offering whatever service they could render their country. This, said Sir Thomas Inskip, was a remarkable manifestation of the public spirit, which, he hoped, the country could use. Referring to his talks with repre- , sentatives of the employers and labour, , the Minister said: “I am sufficient optimist to believe that goodwill and co-operation will triumph over all difficulties, and that we shall find the supplies of labour adequate for the programme which the Government has in mind.’' Referring to the White Paper on the demands likely to be made on industry, he said: “The intention at the time was not to interfere more than was necessary with civil in* dustry, but the events of the last few days have made it necessary— I hope, only for a time—that the Government’s programme should have priority. Further than that, the Government has decided that as far as is possible the programme that was to be completed within the five years originally marked out should be completed within a less space of time.” Within the last few days, said the Minister, he had examined the figures of labour available in the Engineering industry, and the result .showed a surplus of 10,000 skilled and semi-skilled men. Concluding, Sir Thomas Inskip said he was sure that the people of Britain had made up their minds that democracy should not be found Wanting, and it would be much more impressive to the world at large if the programme could be complited as he expected, without resorting to compulsion, than if an act of Parliament were passed dragooning people in the way they should go.