AIR ARMAMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 20, 24 July 1934, Page 10

AIR ARMAMENTS

INCREASE IN BRITAIN

LABOUR LORD'S CRITICISM

MINISTER'S REPLY

United Press Association—By Electric Tel»» graph—Copyrieht. (Received July £4, 2 p.m.) LONDON, July 23. In the House of Lords, on behalf ot the Labour Party, Lord Ponsonby moved a vote of censure on the Government, condemning an increase in armaments before the termination of the Disarmament Conference on the ground that the increase would' not give the country security, was bound to lead to armament competition, and would endanger world peace. Lord Pousonby cited Mr. Baldwin's recent admission.' that no power on earth could prevent Britain from being bombed, as a bomber would always get through. The announcement of a sensational increase in the Air Force, which would in no way give security, was a "wanton, mutilation of Ihe League authority at a critical moment." As the announcement immediately followed M Barthou's visit, it made one wonder'if" a hidden obligation was undertaken of which the country was ignorant. The Air Minister, Lord Londonderry, replying, according to an official wireess message, said that the Government had by no means abandoned hope of ultimately reaching a disarmament convention, but, having regard to their present-weakness in the air and the widespread concern it had aroused, the Government concluded tha,t in the light of developments abroad they could delay no longer.,. In the matter of the defence services generally and the Hoyal Air Force in particular, the Government had preached - and practised a degree of restraiut which placed Britain today in what amounted to a position of unilateral disarmament. At the end of the late war the strongest air Power, Britain had now sunk to the rank of fifth for some years in terms of first-line strength. No responsible Government could allow the Air Force to remain in a position . of sucli inferiority. Lord Ponsonby's mption was defeat* ed by 54 votes to 9. . ,