R.A.F. EXPANSION TO BE DOUBLED

Southland Times, Issue 23497, 2 May 1938, Page 7

R.A.F. EXPANSION TO BE DOUBLED

FORMATION. OF EXTRA SQUADRONS PERSONNEL BIGGEST SINCE GREAT WAR (British Official Wireless) (Received May 1, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 30. The further expansion of the Royal Air Force which was recently predicted by the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) in the House of Commons has now been authorized and the measures of acceleration and development in the aircraft industry to supply the additional equipment are immediately to be put in hand. It is understood that the plans prepared by the Air Ministry, after consultation with the Society of British Aircraft Manufacturers and now approved by the Government, will aim at doubling the production of aircraft within two years. The Air Ministry has announced the personnel of the Supplies Committee of Seven, which is charged with the supervision of the production, under the chairmanship of the Under-Secre-tary for' Air (Earl Winterton). It is stated that the increase in the current financial year will be so marked that the revised estimate of the officers and men required for the Royal Air Force will be* the biggest of any post-war year. Extra squadrons will be formed and in some squadrons the first-line strength of aircraft will be raised. The members of Earl Winterton’s committee will include: — Air Vice-Marshal W. L. Welsh,. air member for supply and organization. Air Marshal Sir Wilfred Freeman, air member for research and development. Air Vice-Marshal Peirse, DeputyChief of the Air Staff. Mr A. H. Self, Second Deputy-Under-Secretary of State for the Air Ministry. Sir Charles Bruce Gardner, chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors.

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.