REORGANISATION OF DEFENCE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22534, 17 October 1938, Page 9

REORGANISATION OF DEFENCE

BRITISH FIRMS ASKED TO CO-OPERATE PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS CBBITISB OFPtCIAI, W18E1.859.) (Received October 15, 12.35 p.m.) RUGBY, October 14. It has been decided to form a reserve of Territorial Army, Royal Artillery, and light anti-aircraft units, comprising officers and other ranks, for the defence of certain vital industrial establishments in the country against attack by low-flying aircraft. This reserve will be formed and administered in peace time by the Territorial Army in association and in consultation with the; establishments concerned. The personnel w : ill be recruited from, the employees of these establishments, and it will be required to undertake to serve only in the defence of the undertaking with which members are employed. In announcing the formation of the new light anti-aircraft units, the Secretary of State for War (Mr L. Hore-Belisha) said that no military development since the war had been so impoi'tant, and no task so formidable as the preparation of the defence of the country against air attack. “At the beginning of April, two years ago, our guns and searchlights were manned by about 5000 men,” he said. “In the same month a year ago there were about 20,000 men, and to-day they are manned by more than 40,000 men. In another 12 months it is hoped to double that number again. “So much for these general defences,” he added, “but I am now going to ask the employers to bring reinforcements to these and cooperate with the War Office in the provision of particular defences. “The essence of the scheme is that in the event of war these employees should remain at civilian work for which they will be paid, but they should be ready in an emergency. Volunteers selected for the new responsibility should be men not eligible for ordinary service in the Territorial Army, which must be strengthened. “Employees have been asked to supply probably a personnel of 15,000 men between the ages of 38 and 50. The War Office will train them and will supply suitable light weapons. The personnel of the antiaircraft units now totals more than 40,000, an eight-fold increase in two years and a half.”

BRITISH CABINET APPOINTMENT ?

FIRST MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SERVICE

(Received October 16, 9.5 p.m.)

LONDON, October 15,

The political correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says reports are current that Sir John Anderson, former Governor of Bengal, is to join the Cabinet as first Minister for National Service.

Sir John Anderson is National member of the House of Common? for Scottish Universities.' . The correspondent adds that the National Service register is expected to include all men and women between the ages of 16 and 60.