DEFENCE MINISTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 63, 12 February 1936, Page 7

DEFENCE MINISTRY

THE BRITISH BILL. WITHDRAWAL LIKELY. AN IMPRACTICABLE SCHEME. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received February 12, 11.50 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 11. • The private ’ member’s Bill for the creation of a Ministry of Defence- will come up for the second reading in the House of Commons on Friday. The Bill proposes that the Ministry should consist of the principal Secretary of State, who should be President of the Defence Council, and the Secretary of State and Under-Secretary for each of the three service departments of the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Ministry for purposes connected with the development and maintenance of the three fighting services in an up-to-date and efficient condition. The Minister of Defence would be responsible to the Government for the proper consideration of aIL strategical and tactical questions bearing on the defence of the realm, an:l for the proper equipment of all arms of the three fighting defence services.

Among other provisions, the Bill empowers the Government to appoint such representatives of the Dominions as their Prime Ministers may select to sit upon the Council. It is expected that after a full discussion of the objects of the Bill it will be withdrawn before the division on the second reading is challenged. Cabinet at its weekly meeting tomorrow will probably decide the attitude which it will assume towards the measure.

The Times understands that the Government, while they agree that closer co-operation and co-ordination than exist at present are desirable, are convinced that the creation of a special Ministry is impracticable.