IN THE COMMONS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1938, Page 5

IN THE COMMONS

(DEFENCE DEBATE NECESSITY FOR STRONC NAVY. (Per British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 8. Sir T. Inskip, replying in the Commons defence debate, said that when Mr Churchill asked for a review of the country’s whole industry by the Minister of Munitions, this was precisely the task which was being carried out by seven committees of the Supply Board, -both for completion of the armament Programme and for organising what were potentials, if an emergency should overtake the country. Mr Chamberlain and himself were in almost daily contact with the cliiefs of staff. Referring to naval expansion, Sir T. Inskip, said it was a mistake to suppose that great naval- battles were things of the past. Security lay first in the concentration of force represented by main fleets, but, that was not the Navy’s whole task, for the defence of widely scattered trade :routes must be undertaken by scattered units of the fleet. As for the Army, it must be available both for defence of British territories and for the defence of British interests overseas, including whatever obligations were undertaken by the Government,, - . ' In regard to air defences, the Air Force held a place second to none in preparation tp resist a knock-out blow. The sufficiency of our Air Force was a condition of our, safety. Further increases in the number and size of squadrons, lately. approved, would secure the maximum ; Efficiency in the Air Force. ■ The vast majority of the squadrons were fully equipped. The balloon barrage for London was organised in ten squadrons, and there would be four storage, and administrative depots. The - measures of expansion contemplated further increases in the already powerful coast defence. The fighter for-e and) the anti-aircraft guns for London's defence, together with other defence resourceswhich he must, not mention, wo(uld he very effective,.as coast defence .' against jnvaders. ■ ; , s , . Regarding attacks, on trade, shipping and ifood-bearing ships, port emergency committees (had. |bpen ( ,set : up in fortyfive principal commercial ports. < ‘PORCUPINE’ ’ ARMAMENTS. ;•(!.*[ _4| "j -44; BERLIN, March 8. Political circles are' willing to accept Mr Chamberlain's that the British armament is not aggressive, said the Government spokesman. “So long as British armaments resemble those of, as porcupine, meaning they are purely defensive,. no objection can be raised.” 15 - ■■■