BRITAIN’S LONG START

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 41, 12 November 1936, Page 11

BRITAIN’S LONG START

Being an Island Still an Advantage in War

USING GREAT RESOURCES (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 10. "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 in jeopardy. These words formed part of a speech on defence by the Minister for Coordination of Defence, Sir Thomas Inskip. in the House of Commons tonight. Sir Thomas said that if Britain was involved in a war. whether with others in the maintenance of collective security, or alone, or in alliance with some other nation, she could never give up until she was safe again. The Government was looking to-day primarily not to protect our frontier at home but to defend and guard Imperial commitments—the vital lines of our points of communication —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 our land forces, though, in relation to air defence, it was in truth our first line. It was reconstituted after the war for Imperial defence, and the officers and men actually signed an agreement to serve outside the country in times of emergency provided an Act of Parliament was passed authorising I he dispatch of the territorial army outside the United Kingdom. Aircraft Engine Production. Dealing with the shadow scheme for aircraft engine production, Sir Thomas Inskip said that Lord Nuffield’s resources of experience were not going to be lost to the Government, and he hoped that in a short rime the scope of his services would tie enlarged A proper survey would be carried out as soon as possible and provision made so that if war should unhappily break out the whole of the six firms in the shadow scheme would be able to turn over to the manufacture not of a single part but of a whole engine. Figures were given showing the expansion of industry, and S’r Thomas pointed out that the expansion of the Air Force itself was proceeding. Squadrons were continually being formed and built up to full establishment The total number at home in the present circumstances of these squadrons is SO. including 16 auxiliary squadrons. That figure excludes 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 tit mobilisation, to increase t'he striking force or weight of any initial blow

Rejecting the proposal for an executive .Ministry of Supply with compulsory powers. Sir Thomas said ho beI’eved the House would he wise to take a long view and to satisfy, as far as possible, the needs of the country without stopping the export trade oil which the financial position of the country depended. WAR NOT INEVITABLE But Precautions Must Be Taken POWERFUL NEW GUNS London, November 10. "I refuse to believe that another war is inevitable if we take proper precautions.'’ said Sir Thomas Inskip. He added that orders had been given for new powerful guns required in connection with air defence. The A’r Force must be as powerful as the Navy in its own sphere. The Government was planning for every contingency in the matter of defence.