AIR DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23023, 28 April 1938, Page 13

AIR DEFENCE

MISSION TO AMERICA PURPOSE EXPLAINED EXPLORATORY INQUIRIES PRODUCTION IN CANADA By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received April 27, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, April 26 Earl Winterton, member of the British Cabinet dealing with the service side of aviation, replying in the House of Commons to Mr. F. Montague (Labour —Islington), who asked whether orders for military aeroplanes were to be placed with firms in Canada and the United States, said the party of experts who were now visiting the United States and Canada were concerned solely with exploratory inquiries. The party would investigate whether types of aircraft which might bf* suitable for certain Royal Air Force purposes, were available for early delivery, said Earl Winterton. They would also examine the capacity of factories and potentialities for the production of aircraft in Canada.

Survey In Britain "The investigations to be conducted , bv this mission are part of the review - referred to by Mr. Chamberlain on March 14, and are supplementary to the arrangements for production in this country," Earl Winterton continued. As soon as the Government decided that circumstances had made it necessary to accelerate and extend the programme for air expansion, a comprehensive survey was made of the maximum production that would be possible in Britain with additional labour by all the firms capable of producing types of aircraft suitable for use in the Royal Air Force. Accelerating and further expansion implied, as to requirements, firstly, increased output of appropriate types now in production; and secondly, the introduction at the earliest possible date of the latest improved types which were on order. More Labour Needed "It is the intention and determination of the Government that all British firms suitable for the production of aircraft to the requirements of the expanded programme shall be in a position to give the maximum output possible during the next two years," said Earl Winterton. "The bulk of the orders for production on a large scale have been placed, and further orders necessary to secure the maximum accelerated output will be given without delay. The scale on which factories have been planned and orders have been given, make it possible to secure greatly increased production if additional labour is available." ■*

On the motion for the adjournment of the House after the Budget resolutions had been passed, Mr. G. L. Mander (Opposition Liberal —Wolverhampton) said he wished to call attention to the despatch to the United States of the Air Ministry mission, about which he said there was a great deal of misgiving, doubt and mystification; but after he had been speaking for a few minutes he was "counted out."