EMPIRE'S DEFENCES

Evening Star, Issue 22252, 1 February 1936, Page 15

EMPIRE'S DEFENCES

REPAIRING THE GAPS PLANS SO FAR A SECRET Press Association —By Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, January Hi. (Received February 1, at ,11.5 a.m.) The 1 Sun-Herald ’ says the conference of the Cabinet Defence Committee, consisting of senior Cabinet members and defence chiefs, under Air Baldwin a chairmanship, which commenced at the New Year and continued almost without interruption except for the day of the King’s funeral, has now terminated its meeting. It concentrated on Defence Estimates and rearmament programme. A White Paper will shortly be issued giving details of the Government’s plans for repairing the gaps in Empire defences. They are a wellkept secret, but.it is generally believed that in view' of the European and Asiatic unsettled conditions they will be more extensive than intended before , the election, involving a larger defence loan. It is believed that the Government will have no difficulty in raising £200,000,000 or more over a period of years if it do si res such an amount for defence. ‘ Daily Herald ’ says the loan will be £250,000,000, partially through Treasury issues; but no official confirmation is available.