SPEEDY EXPANSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23026, 2 May 1938, Page 9

SPEEDY EXPANSION

EOYAL AIR FORCE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT NEW SUPPLIES COMMITTEE INCREASING PRODUCTION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 1, 6.50 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, April 30 The further expansion of the Royal Air Force, which recently was predicted by the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, has now been authorised. Measures of acceleration and development in the aircraft industry to supply additional equipment are immediately to bo put in hand. It is understood that plans prepared by the Air Ministry after consultation with the Society of British Aircraft Manufacturers, and approved by the Government, will aim at doubling the production of aircraft within two years. The Air Ministry has announced the personnel of a Supplies Committee of seven members, which is charged with the supervision of production under the chairmanship of Earl Winterton. It is stated that the increase in the current financial year will be so marked that a revised estimate of the officers and men required for the Royal Air Force will be the biggest of any postwar year. Extra squadrons will be formed and in some squadrons the firstline strength of the aircraft will be raised.

The members of Earl Winterton's committee will include Air Vice-Marshal W. L. Welsh, Air Member for Supply and Organisation; Air Marshal Sir Wilfred Freeman, Air Member for liesearch and Development; Air ViceMarshal It. C. E. Peirse, Deputy-Chief of the Air Staff; Mr. A. H. Self, Second Deputy Under-Secretary of State, Air Ministry; Sir Charles BruceGardner, chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors; and Mr. E. E. Bridges, of the Treasury. A statement on the new aeroplanes will be made in the House of Commons within the next fortnight. EMPIRE EXHIBITION OPENING TO-MORROW KING TO OFFICIATE GLASGOW PREPARATIONS (Received May 1, 0.50 p.m.) British "Wireless RUGBY. April 30 Streets and buildings in Glasgow are being gaily decorated in preparation for the visit of the King and Queen on Tuesday on the occasion of the opening of the Empire Exhibition. The Stadium, which will be scene of numerous spectacles during the term of the exhibition, is to be used for the opening ceremony. Its galleries provide accommodation for about 100.000 spectators. Although many finishing touches are still required there is every reason to believe that the exhibition will be ready in all respects for the opening ceremony.