BRITAIN'S DEFENCES

Evening Star, Issue 22031, 17 May 1935, Page 9

BRITAIN'S DEFENCES

NEED FOR IMMEDIATE REARMAMENT DIQOUStIW IN HOUSE OF LORDS % H ' Press A*tociali6n— By Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, May 15. In the House of Lords Lord Mottistone moved that, in the opinion of the House, a Minister should be appointed to direct the policy in respect Jo the supplies of'munitions to the three defences services. He declared that, though Britain was in the midst of general rejoicings, she was in a state of emergency from the viewpoint _of Imperial defence. Immediate action was essential to carry out the necessary rearmament by a whole-time chairman of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Paradoxically, he believed the world might avoid the disaster of another war by the rearmament of Britain. Lord Straholgi said Labour generally supported the motion. Lord Hailsham (Secretary of State for War), replying, said that the three great services could, not be controlled hy a single Minister empowered to over-rule ‘ the separate Ministers. There was vastly more co-operation and cO-ordination now than in 1913 through 40 or 50 subcommittees. The Committee of Imperial Defence was dealing with every branch of defence. Lord Hailsham added that. the Government was not convinced that the appointment of a ' permanent chairman of the Imperial Defence Committee would really increase efficiency. He-said that at the meeting of the Chemical Defence Committee . that day the problem of gas attache was discussed. They tfere making a marked advance towards producing the right kind of gas masks and respirators at a reasonable cost. He had received an assurance that the mass of the population would be able to get gas masks if the necessity arose. It wAs not proposed at present to issue gas masks to everybody. Viscount ROthemere said Britain was facing the most terrible peril in her history. Bombing planes might change the whole face of Europe. The only way to meet the peril was to show any possible enemy that they would get as good as they gave. Britain would have to spend £100,000,000 on defence. There must be an enormous increase in the Air Force, Lord Mottistone’s motion was defeated by 23 votes to 9. AN ADEQUATE NAVY SIR ROGER KEYES’S PROPOSAL. . - LONDON, May 16. Urging, the Government to launch a defence loan in order to meet the expenditure on increasing the Air Force and replacing obsolete battleships, Sir ■ RogCr Keyes told the Navy League that many warships were death traps in the: event of a .combat. It would he’ impossible to; implement the new programme from the revenue; therefore, a loan should he launched, as in 1899, which enabled the decaying navy to develop a fleet to defeat Germany. He added: “I have no doubt that events will more apace until Germany is ready to fight again or gets her objectives by threats. Germany’s * pocket ’ battleships, which can out- . atrip all capital ships except Britain’s three battle cruisers, are capable of destroying any existing cruiser. Her 20,000-tdn battle cruisers, which are at present being built, are capable of escaping from battle cruisers and overhauling and destroying almost any of the British cruisers.” Recalling the Emden, he declared that no convoy would be safe against German ships unless protected by battleships. A White Paper should counteract the mischievous air propaganda, which increased the difficulties of the supporters of an adequate navy. Sir Roger Keyes moved urging the Government to terminate the Washington and London Treaties and consent to no further agreement which would prevent an adequate fleet. The motion was carried unanimously. Sir Herbert Cayzer moved declaring , that the weakness of the raechant fleet was a danger to the Empire, and urging the Government to invite the dominionsjmd colonies to confer without delay. - This motion was also carried. DEFENCE POLICY CABINET'S CONCERN (British Official Wirelcst.) "RUGBY, May 16. (Received May 17, at 1.30 p.m.) The need of closer co-ordination between the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force, both regarding the general direction and supply, was urged by Lord Mottistonc, who moved in tho House of Lords that it was desirable that » Minister should he appointed to direct the policy and method of supply of the three defence services. ‘ Lord Hailsham, replying for the Government, declared that the only ' body to control the policy was Cabinet. If there was a dispute between the services, Cabinet must decide. In regard to co-ordination, this had already been done. A committee, consisting of the chief of staff of the three services, was an integral part of the defence machinery, and it had recently grown in importance. The chiefs of staff made a joint report on every strategic qqestion. The only issue left was whether there should be a whole-time chairman of the Committee of Imperial Defence. In practice the Prime Minister had almost always presided at its meetings, And Mr Baldwin was always present. Those best able to advise did not think a permanent chairman would be an’improvement. The committee was actually working out the needs and fhe means of supplying them. The Man-power Committee was also drawing up comprehensive plans. The motion was defeated.