BRITISH AIR FORCE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 252, 21 July 1934, Page 7

BRITISH AIR FORCE

Decision to Build 41 New Squadrons DEFENCE OF EMPIRE Mr. Baldwin’s Outline of Government Plan (British Official Wireless.) ' Rugby, July 19. The Government’s air policy was today the subject of an important House of Commons statement by Mr. Stanley Baldwin. , , Ever since the war, he said, successive British Governments had actively pursued a policy of international disarmament. In their efforts to further this policy by example, as well as by precept; they had reduced their own armament to a dangerously ’ low level in the hope that others would follow their lead. But the disarmament negotiations had been drawn out longer than anyone had anticipated. "£he preparatory Commission lasted from 1926 to December, 1930,--inclusive. The Disarmament Conference opened in February, 1932, and had pursued its labours ever since. t During these eight and a half years misgivings had arisen from time to time in many quarters at the increasing accumulation of deficiencies in their defensive services, particularly in view of the' Increased expenditure on armaments in many other countries. Most of the leaders of all three parties, said Mr. Baldwin, were familiar with the position in its general outline, not only from the knowledge acquired ..while in office, but also from the threeparty conference on disarmament in 1931, in the privacy of which all facts of the situation were disclosed in confidence. The Government policy remained one of international disarmament, and it had by no means abandoned hope of reaching some limitation. They were even now making fresh efforts to break the virtual deadlock that existed at Geneva. Unfortunately, however, particularly in view of past experience, they could not count on an early result, and in view of their commitments under the League Covenant and the Locarno Treaty, the many symptoms' of unrest in Europe and elsewhere, and the failure of other Governments to follow their example by comparable reductions, they had for some time felt that the time had . come when the pos sibillty of keeping their armaments at their present low level must be recoiisldered in the absence of a comparable reduction by other Powers. Comprehensive Review. ■ - This was the situation which the leaders of all parties had foreseen must sooner or latdr be reached. In the light of these considerations the whole question of Imperial defence aud the' part to be played in it by the three defence services had been' for some months under review by the Government. .' '■ So far as the Royal-Air Force was concerned, it ’was a case of need for further development which had time and again been postponed, in addition to the need for making good deficiencies. They had come to the conclusion that they could not delay any longer measures 1 which would in the course of the next few years bring their air forces to a level more closely approaching that of their nearest neighbours. Mr. Baldwin emphasised that many factors which had inflpenced their decision Were still fluctuating and liable to change. This applied equally to the future of disarmament and the whole international situation. Consequently their defensive position would have to be kept constantly under review, and they reserved the right to modify or adjust the programme in the light of new - factors that might arise. Details of Programme. “Subject'to this caveat,” said Mr. Baldwin,' “we have decided’on a programme covering the present and the four ensuing years, under which the Royal A ir Force will be Increased by '4l new squadrons, including those already announced in the, 1934 programme. Of these 33 will be allotted to Home defence,- raising the number of at Home to a total of 75. The remaining squadrons are for service with the Fleet air arm or abroad “The rate at which this programme .can be carried out within five years must depend upon various considerations, including finance, which I cannor specify now. We hope, however, so to space out the work as not to make an unmanageable addition to Estimates in any one year.” DIVISION OF OPINION English Press Comments COST ESTIMATE £20,000,000 (Received July 20, 7 p.m.) > ' - London, July 20. “The Times,” in a leader, says that the air programme in contradistinction to fantastic demands in some quarters, is a strictly practicable, capable, and well-balanced expansion. Mr. Baldwin clearly indicated that the programme was dictated by the failure of Britain’s example to secure international disarmament. ■ “Its intention," it states, "far from starting new aerial competition, will probably prevent this. Mr. Baldwin regards a special Imperial Air Conference as superfluous, but surely there is a chance of extending co-operation beyond the present interchange of half-a-dozen air force men with the Dominions?”

The Parliamentary correspondent of “The Times” says that it is estimated that the aerial programme will cost £20,000,000, very little of which will be spent in the present. financial year beyond the four squadrons already promised. The Government proposes, during the time the scheme is being carried out, to complete the work on the air and naval base at Singapore, butthe scheme is mainly for home defence. Cabinet’s broad aim is to devise protection for London and industrial areas from Yorkshire to Southampton. A considerable amount of the expenditure will be on new searchlight and anti-air-craft gun stations. The scheme will also necessitate new aerodromes. One of the first steps will be an extension of Cranwell. There must also be an increase in including 200 pilots yearly. It has already been de-

cided to reopen the. flying school at Digby. The “Daily Mail’s” political correspondent says that many members of the House of Commons consider that the Government has shirked the task of , building an adequate Air Force. Only ! 37 new squadrons, namely, 444 machines, will be constructed in uncertain numbers in five years. , The “Manchester Guardian,”, in a leader, says:: The. Government has spoken with two voices for months, one giving lip service to disarmament and the other, displaying contempt for such aspirations. Half the Government has thrown up the sponge and the other half will be curbed by fear of bankruptcy. MOTIONS OF CENSURE London, July 19. The Labour Party has decided to submit censure motions on the new air defence policy both in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, on July 30. ■_ y ; ' ’