THE SINGAPORE BASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23690, 23 December 1938, Page 9

THE SINGAPORE BASE

DISPOSITION OF WARSHIPS QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT LONDON, Dec. 21. In the House of Commons, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr G. H. Shakespeare), replying to Mr R. T. H. Fletcher (Labour), said it was not in the public interest to disclose the future disposition of British warships at Singapore. . , . .. Mr Fletcher: Is the Admiralty satisfied that, in the event of capital ships becoming necessary for the defence of Australia, Britain will be able to provide them? Mr Shakespeare: Mr G. A. Street, the Australian Minister of Defence, accurately stated the position at Canberra.

Early this month, Mr Street announced in the House of Representatives at Canberra that the expenditure had been increased from £44,500,000 to £63,000,000, of which £20.000,000 would be devoted to the naval programme, £19,750,000 to the army programme, and the remainder to the air and anti-aircraft defences. The Government intended to construct at Cockatoo Dockyard two Tribal class destroyers, with a speed of 36£ knots and a displacement tonnage of 1850 and 12 extremely modern motor torpedo boats. Considerable sums will be spent on building up reserves of oil fuel, refitting naval establishments, providing stores and reserves of ammunition and war equipment, and increasing the anti-aircraft defences.