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Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20982, 10 March 1938, Page 9

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BRITISH AIR FORCE DEFENDED SQUADRONS FULLY EQUIPPED REVIEW BY SIR THOMAS INSKIP British Official Wireless (Received March 9. 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 8. The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip), replying to the Defence debate in the House of Commons, said that when Mr Winston Churchill asked for a review of the country’s whole industry by the Minister of Munitions, this was precisely the task which was being carried out by seven committees of the Supply Board, both for the completion of the armament programme and for organising what were the potentials if an emergency should overtake the country. Mr Chamberlain and himself were in almost daily contact with the chiefs of staff. Referring to naval expansion, Sir Thomas Inskip said that it was a mistake to suppose that great naval battles were things of the past. Security lay first in the concentration of force represented by the main fleets, but that was not the Navy’s whole task, for the defence of widely scattered trade routes must be undertaken by scattered units of the fleet. As for the Army, it must be available both for the defence of British territories and for the defence of British interests overseas, including whatever obligations were undertaken by the Government. Condition of Safety In regard to air defences, the Air Force held a place second to none in its preparation to resist a knock-out blow. Hie efficiency of the Air Force was a condition of Britain’s safety. Further increases in the number and size of the squadrons, which were lately approved would secure the maximum efficiency in the Air Force. The vast majority of the squadrons were fully equipped. A balloon barrage for London was organised in ten squadrons and there would be four storage and administrative depots. The measures of expansion contemplated a further increase in the already powerful coast defence fighter force, and anti-aircraft guns for London’s defence. These, together with other defence resources which he must not mention, would be very effective as a coast defence against invaders.

Regarding attacks on trade shipping and food-bearing ships, port emergency committees had been set up in fortyfive of the principal commercial ports.