AIR DEFENCE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 February 1925, Page 5

AIR DEFENCE

BRITAIN’S FORCE. EXPANSION PROPOSALS. BIG INCREASE IN COST. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, *Eeb! 26. In the House of Commons, Sir Samuel Hoare (Minister for Air), in introducing the air force estimates, said the increased cost of £1,972,000 was mainly due to the scheme for the expansion of the air force and the exhaustion of war stock, necessitating the purchase of new equipment. There had never been a national defence question supported with greater unanimity among the party leaders. The regular squadrons, for the first time since the war, were being equipped with new types of machines. Fifteen oiit of the IS squadrons would be so equipped by the end of the year. Furthermore, non-regular units were introduced for the first time in military aviation. A further experiment was the introduction of a large civilian element in the regular fighting units to carry out less important non-flying duties. The principle of the operational unity of command had also been introduced in air defence. By building up the air force on these lines our air defence would be so strong that it would make the risk of attack not worth while. Sir Samuel Hoare reminded the House that our inferiority at present was one to three eomSared with the greatest air force in 11 rope, namely, France, our old friend and ally. It would be some years before we were numericallv equal to France.

The Minister hoped the House would appreciate the fact that he had held the balance between the necessity for the expansion of the force and the necessity for a reduction in expenditure and taxation.

Sir Samuel Hoare continued, in emphasising; the potentiality of air power for Empire defence: “If our air power m defence is made more mobile, we can save many men and much money.” He instanced the economy effected in garrisoning Iraq with an air force. This principle must be applied to airship development. He said regarding research that he had attempted to initiate organisation in the Air Ministry to develop scientific research. He had consulted leading scientists in connection with this subject, and had put on the estimates the largest sum for research that had beep allocated in anv year since the war.

The experiment of training reserve pilots in civil schools was developing. The number of reserve pilots would be raised to 725 in the ensuing year. He hoped that next summer a number of light aeroplane clubs would be started. As regards civil transport the Minister emphasised the necessity for developing some long distance route within the Empire for the purpose of demonstrating the advantage of air transport. One of the immediate difficulties which must be overcome was the impossibility of flying over Ger-. many in the present international! situation. Referring to the develop-j, ment of the commercial stage of the' airship line between England and the Dominions operated by private enterprise and not by the State, Sir Samuel Hoare said risks must on no account he taken. The very foundation of the problem was the problem of safety. ». Mr Philip Snowden, on behalf of the Labour Party, opoosed the policy contained in the estimates, which were based on the old, bad, vicious and futile methods of thinking that security depended on huge armaments. Captain Wedgwood-Benu (Liberal) appealed to the Government to go slow pending a definite step regarding disarmament.

Mr •W. Greaves-Lord (Conservative member for Norwood) moved an amendment demanding that measures be taken to reduce accidents. Sir Samuel Hoare replied that the number of accidents in proportion to .the time flown was decreasing. He stated that, an order had been placed in America for a number of Irving type parachutes, which had saved Jives in certain kinds of accidents. The amendment was negatived, and the motion was carried bv 270 votes to 101. Replying to the debate and to a Labour amendment to reduce the air force in order to condemn the waste and. futility of all armaments, Sir Samuel Hoare said the Government was equally anxious for a reduction in armaments. The Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin) had authorised him to sav that the Government would take the first possible opportunity, whether by conference or other methods, to make effective what he believed was the wish of every member of the House. The amendment was rejected by 260 votes to 125, and the air estimates were agreed to.