BRITAIN’S DEFENCES

Evening Star, Issue 23093, 20 October 1938, Page 13

BRITAIN’S DEFENCES

GAPS REVEALED DURING CRISIS CABINET CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS |R CHAMBERLAIN CONTEMPLATING ARMS PACT Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDONi October 19. . The Cabinet meeting to-day will conaider reports on Britain’s defences and the gaps revealed during the crisis, and possibly schemes whereby manpower can be organised for national •ervice'in readiness for emergency. The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ political correspondent believes that Mr Chamberlain will not act until he has decided to •what extent Cabinet .reconstruction is necessary. It is expected, that the names of the new members of Cabinet will be known during the week-end, enabling a start on the construction of problems of foreign policy and fence.The correspondent adds: “ Mr Chamberlain aims at an understanding on the political and economic problems of Europe, followed by an arms pact to end the armaments race, and assuring national security for all. Although no arrangements have been made for further meetings with Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, it is clear that contacts,; are., contemplated in the- near future.” _____ STARTLING REVELATIONS SHORTAGE £F GUNS TO DEFEND LONDON. LONDON, October 19. Startling revelations concerning the shortage of guns and equipment for the defence, .of London are, made in the publication of evidence given, before the ' Select - Committee .in the Sandys case. ' Many important details of the evidence, mostly figures, have been censored, but .it is revealed that in an emergency London could be supplied with little more than half the necessary! guns, many of which would not be immediately available, and some of which must be withdrawn from the army. ,

Sir John Campbell, private secretary to Sir Kingsley Wood, told a public meeting that Britain is expanding her air defences as fast as possible. Since April 1,400 .pilots and observers, 11,000 ' men, and 2,000 boys have started training. .

ri'he developments in connection with the question of parliamentary privilege raised in the House of Commons recently had a dramatic sequel in the House of Commons, when Mr D. Sandys (Con.) announced that in his capacity*. a%, ,o| pthe Territorial \.rmy he-had received orders to appear in uniform to give evidence before a military court of inquiry. Mr Sandys appealed to, the Speaker, for guidance, and said the question as to how far it was permissible to: compel a member of-Parliament to divulge the source of information used by him in the discharge, of his parliamentary duties was in process of being considered by the House, and in those circumstances he submitted that it .was' a gross breach of the privilege of the House that he should be summoned „ before a military tribunal. He_ asked the Speaker to declare that he had made out a priina facie case of breach of privilege. The Speaker ruled that Mr Sandys had made, out, a prima facie case of breach of privilege.] GARRISON AT GIBRALTAR RETIRING GOVERNOR’S TRIBUTE LONDON, October 19. K Gibraltar Press message reports that a tribute to the conduct of all ranks of the garrison during the recent international crisis was paid in a farewell speeclr by General Sir Charles Harrington, retiring Governor and Commander-in-Chief, who will leave for England on Monday on the termination of five years of office. LORO FACTORY SALE OF SITE APPROVED. (British Official Wireless,> RUGBY, October 19. "(Received October 20, at 11 a.m.) The Birmingham City Council formally approved the s(ile for £53,000 of a 130-acre site for the erection of Lord Nuffield’s £3,000,000 aircraft factory. The work of levelling the site is nearing completion, and when the factory is in full production work will be found for 12,000 to 15,000 people. The Air Ministry has already placed an order -with the company for 1,000 air frames. PRIME MINISTER CONFERS WITH COLLEAGUES ; (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 19. (Received October 20, at noon.) Mr Chamberlain had individual consultations with several of his colleagues, including Sir Thomas Inskip, Sir Kingsley Wood, and Sir Samuel Hoare, whose department is responsible for air raid precautions. Early this evening Mr Chamberlain was received in audience by the King. > —————— i ■■■■ i ii ■ By special arrangement, Reuter.* World Service, in addition to other special sources of Information, is usea in tha compilation ot the oversea* intelligence published in this issue and all rights therein in Australia ano New ‘Zealand are reserved. Such of the cable news in this issue as is so headed has appeared in • Tha Times ’ and is sent to this paper by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not lhos¥ of 1 Tha Times 1 unless expressly stated to be so. ■