AIR ESTIMATES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 March 1939, Page 7

AIR ESTIMATES

LARGEST IN HISTORY TOTAL OVER £220,000,000 [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIBELEBS.J (Received March 10, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 9. Sir Kingsley Wood, introducing the Air estimates, totalling £220,626,700, the largest estimates in the history of the Air Ministry, reminded the Commons that, in 1934, the Air estimates were about £18,000,000. This year, they were about twelve times greater than the Air estimates in any year from 1929 to 1934, and were roughly double the aggregate expenditure on the three Services in 1932 and 1933. ’Phis year’s increase alone, amounting to £74,000,000, and coming. after a succession of increases, was equal to the total cost of all the defence services in 1913.

This year’s heavy expenditure was mainly due to the large number of modern aircraft now coming into the squadrons, the cost of providing the additional manufacturing capacity, and the construction of new stations. It was accounted for, too, by the unexpectedly good progress made in the speeding up of production, and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response to the appeal for recruits. The great intake of recruits had caused them to increase the provision for the maximum personnel to 102,000. Larger deliveries of air-frames and engines, and faster progress in the construction of stations and factories, and in the expansion of the balloon barrage scheme, had also swollen the vote. ; These vast estimates were not only an indication of the marked success of their efforts to raise the country’s strength in the air, but were a signal demonstration of the British people’s determination to make adequate provision for their defence by the new arm, the importance of which was now fully recognised. They were now spending £250,000 daily on the production of aircraft alone.

During the past year, they had made considerable progress in the expansion of squadrons, and their reequipment with the latest types. The number of first-line aircraft at Home would be raised to 1750 by April 1, the date on which this programme was due for completion. As regards the programme announced in May, for a Metropolitan Air Force of approximately 2370 aircraft, by next March, good progress had been made in developing the necessary productive capacity, and in recruiting the personnel, and there was every prospect of its being completed within the time promised. OVERSEAS SQUADRONS.

The Minister added that four more squadrons has been established oveiseas during the year, making a total establishment of thirty squadrons. Seven additional squadrons would be formed, in accordance with the programme already announced, to increase the overseas strength to approximately 500 first-line aircraft* To meet the requirements for the protection of overseas territories and trade, the formation of certain additional squadrons had now been approved. The production of aircraft was proceeding at a rapidly-increasing rate, and would be increased still further. In November, he had said that the output would be at a rate of 150 per cent, higher than twelve months earlier. That 150 per cent, increase had already been achieved. He hoped that the four-fold increase in the rate of production, which he had promised for May 1940, would be achieved by next December. Already, aircraft were arriving from the United States, and delivery from Canada would commence next vear, while a British Mission was now in Australia, studying, the possibilities. Labour forces engaged m the aircraft industry at Home had increased by 40 per cent, in the last six months. Eleven factories, established under the “shadow” scheme, were now in production. The Minister added that he could say with confidence, that in the tyres of machines now being issued to the bomber and fighter squadrons, the country posseses what he believed were the best in the world. , Referring to the personnel he said that, he appealed last June foi pilots, observers, airmen, and boys before the end of this month. rhe response had been excellent, and the figure had already been passed last week. The quality of the recruits was very good, and was fully worthy of the high traditions of the Royal Air Force He wanted 20,000 more recruits for the Royal Air the coming financial year. Reciuit ments for-the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve was also proceeding satistaeioriT- Over 2500 recruits were already in training as pilots. They honed‘to form sections of the Reserve m Malaya, Hong Kong, and East Africa A total of 1400 members of Hie Cwil Air Guard were already m possession of A licenses, and 3800 weie in training.

RESERVE DEVELOPMENT Sir Kingsley Wood, continuing, said that, on the ‘reserve side, an important development, had been the new scheme, for entry into class three, of ex-airmen. From July, when the scheme, was launched, till Novembei last, 23,000 men had enlisted, and since November the number had more than doubled. For the Royal Air Force and its various reserves and auxiliaries, they would want in all some 75,000 more men in the coming year. Speaking on balloon defence, he said that the barrage could be operated in the London area, if required. Balloon barrage squadrons were being actively organised in other areas, and the entire scheme should be in operation by the end of the year. In passages devoted to strategical questions, Sir Kingsley Wood was at pains to counter the impression created by critics that, by a statement he made last November, he intended to stress the importance of defence at the expense of that of counter-attack. The Government’s policy was to build up a balanced Air Force. He did not want any misconception. They had not abandoned reliance on counteiattack as an essential defence of air strategy. He thought there had been in the past a tendency to overstate the weakness of defence, and recent developments had, indeed, reduced the superiority of the offensive, and increased the strength of defence, but a powerful striking force for counterattack remained a strong deterrent to attack. All he meant by this Novem-

ber statement on an increase in fighter strength, was that a counter-offen-sive, to be successful, must start from a secure basis. He stressed the Empire aspect of civil aviation, and said that the objective is the production of a British air-liner which can be used by the operating companies, and is saleable on the world markets. Several members drew attention to the unpunctuality of the Empire airmails. Mr. Cazalet said that he hoped the date would soon be announced for an extension of the service to New Zealand.