BRITISH NAVY’S SEA-GOING STRENGTH NOW RESTORED

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1949, Page 7

BRITISH NAVY’S SEA-GOING STRENGTH NOW RESTORED

LONDON, February 23.

The First Lord of the Admiralty, Viscount Hall, speaking to the House of Lords naval debate, said the Royal ..Navy had regained its sea-going strength and the naval training now in progress and the further measures being taken to bring the reserve fleet up to date would add to its strength. The Royal Navy, h said, was la good hart" and the country could be assured that it was ready to deal with any emergency. l Viscount Hall said the build-up of the fleet during the past year had been completed in accordance with the forecast he gave 12 months ago. The Government was completely satisfied with the progress made in naval efficiency training.

RESERVE SHIPS REFITTED The naval director of the dockyards at Rosyth, iVce-Admiral Sir Claud Barrington, announced that 150 British Reserve Fleet ships have been refitted since the beginning of 1948 to make them readv for any emergency. He added that one-third of the work had been done by private contracts. COURTS-MARTIAL The Minister of Defence, Mr A. V. Alexander, announced in the House of Commons to-day that it has been decided to set up a committee to examine the naval court martial system.