BRITAIN TO SPEED UP REFITTING SHIPS OF RESERVE FLEET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22877, 22 February 1949, Page 7

BRITAIN TO SPEED UP REFITTING SHIPS OF RESERVE FLEET

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21. . A decision to strengthen Britain’s defence forces by speeding up the programme for refitting ships of the Reserve Fleet and to improve equipment and stocks generally is disclosed in a White Paper dealing with the supplementary estimate of £15,500,000 for the Navy.

■* The original estimate for the year ending March 31 was £153,000,000. The White Paper says that about £12,500,000 is required for refitting and replenishment of stocks and for the employment of a greater number of civilians because of the accelerated programme and to release naval ratings for service at sea. Other unforeseen charges, including increases in pay and allowances, make the total of additional liabilities £24,000,000, but set off against that is £8,500,000 mainly from the sales of ships and aircraft. The navy estimates for the coming financial year total £189,250,000. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Hall, in an explanatory statement, says the estimates provide for a total naval force of 153,000. It will still take time, however, to eliminate all the lack of balance'in naval man-power. The naval estimates for the coming financial year show that one fleet aircraft carrier, one light carrier and seven destroyers will be under construction on March 31 this year. Britain’s present active fleet strength is shown as:— Two battleships—Vanguard and Duke of York. One fleet carrier—lmplacable. Four light carriers. Fifteen cruisers. Thirty-three destroyers. Twenty-five frigates. Thirty submarines. Fourteen minesweepers. Vessels launched but not yet commissioned are:— One fleet carrier. Seven light carriers. Three cruisers. One destroyer. One frigate. Ships being used experimentally and for training include: — Three battleships. Two fleet carriers. Two light carriers. Two cruisers. Twenty destroyers. The Admiralty will spend £ /,180,000 on scientific services and research in the coming year.