AIR POWER BEST DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 23378, 9 December 1937, Page 5

AIR POWER BEST DEFENCE

British Policy Based

On Attack

COMPLETE IMMUNITY NOT POSSIBLE PLANS FOR EVACUATION OF CITIES (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 8, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. Ll.e British Government has been driven to admit that no air raid precautions, however great, will ensure complete immunity, that passive defence will not suffice, and that the best defence for London is a strong, vigorous air force capable of tying down an enemy’s force to local defence This admission was made by the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare) in the House of Commons when he moved the third reading of the Air Raid Precautions Bill, which was carried without a division. Sir Samuel moved a new clause specifically placing upon local authorities the duty of providing the necessary information to enable the Government to prepare plans “for any necessary transference of the civil population in the event of a hostile attack from the air.” The Home Secretary, replying in the debate, said the essence of the problem of the evacuation was the magnitude of it. The Government realized the difficulties of evacuation and it would do its best to surmount them. The new clause was agreed to. “What Britain is forced to do runs counter to the ideals 'and tendencies of civilized life,” said Sir Samuel. “We are setting back the clock thousands of years in making women and children disperse over ,the country to most remote districts and abandon the necessities and amenities of civilization. We are arranging to dress up people in gas-proof suits that will make them look like monsters from' the dark ages. “I assure the House that the Government will not lose an opportunity again to introduce sanity and to remove the conditions that make the Bill inevitable.’”

Sir Samuel announced the reorganization of the Air Raid Precautions Department of the Home Office by differentiating between staff and administrative duties. He proposed to appoint Wing Commander Hodsell as Chief of the Precautions Staff, with the title of inspector-general. Mr C. W. G. Eady, one of the most competent organizers at Whitehall, would come to the Home Office as an undersecretary of state; he would devote his whole time to the administration of precautions. ATTACK ON VISCOUNT SWINTON LABOUR URGES TRANSFER OF PORTFOLIO (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, December 7. In the House of Commons an Attack was made from the Labour benches on the Secretary for Air (Viscount Swinton), and it was urged that the holder of that office should be a member of the House of Commons and not of the House of Lords. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) in reply said that the Ministers of the Crown Bill, introduced last March, provided that out of 21 members of file Cabinet not more than three need be members of the House of Lords. At present there were only five who were in that House. Dealing with the more personal attack on Viscount Swinton, Mr Chamberlain said: “When it is realized with what speed and efficiency _ Viscount Swinton has built up a magnificent air force I think he will have the thanks and gratitude of his country.”