BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1938, Page 9

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

AIR FORCE EXPANSION. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, April 30. The further expansion of the Royal Air Force, which was recently predicted by the Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain) in the House of Commons, has now been authorised, and measures of acceleration and development in the aircraft industry to supply the additional equipment are immediately to be put in hand. It is understood that plans prepared by the Air Ministry after consultation with the Society of British Aircraft Manufacturers, and now approved by the Government, will aim at doubling the production of aircraft within two years. The Air Ministry has announced the personnel of the supplies committee, of seven members, which is charged with the supervision of production, under the chairmanship of Lord Winterton. It is stated that the increase in the current financial year will be so marked that the revised estimate of officers and men required for the Royal Air Force will be the biggest of any postwar year. Extra squadrons will be formed, and in some squadrons the first line strength of aircraft will be raised. The members of Lord Winterton’s committee will include Air Vice-Mar-shal AV. L. Welsh. Air Member for Research and Development, Air ViceMarshal Peirse. Deputy Chief, second deputy Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry,' Sir Charles Bruce Gardner, chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors, and Mr. E. E. Bridges, of the Treasury. A statement on the new aeroplanes will be made in the House of Commons within the next fortnight.