Increase Made By Britain In Defence Estimates

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 February 1949, Page 5

Increase Made By Britain In Defence Estimates

Nearly Sixty Millions Above The Total Allocated Last Year

LONDON, Feb. 15.—A White Paper on defence gives Britain’s total defence estimates for 1949-50 as £759,860,000, compared with the estimate of £692,600,000 for 1948-49.

The comparative totals for 1949-50 and 1948-49 are made up as follows:

Excluding war terminal and noneffective charges and the cost of nonmilitary activities, of which the Services votes have been relieved, the remaining provision in the Service estimates for 1949-50 is £654,500,000, compared with £547,000,000 last year. Of the Increase of about £107,500,000, about one-third is accounted for by the increased Service rates of pay, increased civilian wages, increased cost of insurance charges for servicemen and civilians, and higher prices for supplies. The increased expenditure on the reserve and auxiliary forces accounts for over £5,000,000, and the bulk of the balance goes to equpiment.

Extra provision for equipment attributable to emergency measures was authorised in September, 1948. Of the increase of £Bl,OOO in the Defence Ministry estimates, £25,000 consists of expenditure previously borne on other votes, and £52,000 relates to secretarial and common service arrangements for Western Union establishments located in London. The intention by the end of the 1949-50 financial year is to have the strength of the force at 750,0000, including the Navy at 146,000, the Army at 391,000, and the 'Air Force a( 213,000.

The manpower plan proviB.es for a call-up of 174,000 nationa’ servicemen, including the Navy 10,000, the Army 120,000, and the Air Force 44,000. Reuter’s political correspondent says the key figure of the defence estimates White Paper is the provision of £66,000,000 for an expanded equipment progremme. This figure represents about two-thirds of the £107,500,000 increase in the effective Army, Navy and Air Force total of £654,500,000.

1949-50 £ 1948-49 £ Admiralty 189,250,000 153,000.000 War Office .. 304.700,000 305.000,000 Air Ministry .. 207,450,000 173,000.000 Supply Ministry 57,750,000 61.000,000 Defence Ministrj f no,000 600,000