THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1937.
HOW BRITAIN PROPOSES
DEFENCE FUNDS
Navy, Army
Army And Air Force Expansion
IN accordance with a request made in the House of Commons when the Defence Bill was introduced the Government has now issued a White Paper setting forth in brief detall the gramme of Defence that it proposes to undertake.
The paper, which is published in full below, states that although authority la sought to raise a maximum of £400 millions for services fr om April this year to April 1942 it does not imply that 'the whole of this sum will in fact be raised, nor does it re present the total cost of ex- penditure on Defence,
ΤΟ
UTILISE
|ed to dealing with the problems of De grammed so na lo ensure that the num- with the same types of weapons as fence by elnatie monde musceptible of Eer of new vessels of wach type to be thong with which the Regular Army. In adaptation in the light of changes in laid down shall be approximately the equipped. world conditions and of the now neods) same in onch' year,
23. During the next few years it will. which arise from the Intensiva applien-j If this plan can be followed the coats be necessary to make provision in Army tion of scientific research and Inven- of construction are aprend evenly, and Estimates for heavy capital expenditura tion to the problems of Defence. the Navy never, finds itşek at any time on works services in order to bring 46. The ossential features of the White the foalan that an undus propor- barrack accommodation up to modern tion of the fleet consists of old or standards and to provide the additional Paper of March 1930, romain unchanged, obsolescent ships,
storage, workshops and buildings res although certain measures of accolera- 11. In pressnt elreumatancos, how- quired for modern mechantsed forces. Lion have been approved by Parliament-ever, an oron spread of new building On the present occasion, therefore, it is impossible, and for some yours the is unnecessary to repeat in detail the country will be constrained to under- Information given a year ago on the lake' a series of heavy building pro-
Govern-rammes.
progenmmo of a Majesty's
The main reasons, for this course are, Arat, that a conelderable number of our or will shortly become over-age, and existing ships are war-bullt and are, second, that no vessels of certain types immediately after the war. were built for a number of the years
THE AIR FORCE Largest Acquisition Of
New Aerodromes
The opportunity is taken to indicato the width of the field and, nt men, or in the air, must, if they possible to lay down any new vessels mont and this country has become in necessarily covered by the Defence programme in consequence formidable and for more costly than mutely £8,000,000 each) were included has become a matter
The strength of the Royal Air Force
pro-indicate the width of the field neces- Rather the opportunity is taken to sarily covered by the Defence program
24. It was stated in the White Paper, deficiencies to be maile good, the under me in consequence of the extent of the
of March 1930 that the prime function of the Royal Air Force in to provide { lying strategic requirements and the
an effective deterrent to any atinck (changing conditions of modern warfare.
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
upon the vital interests of this country d. Decent years hava witnessed an 12. Of our Afteen capital ships, only whether at home or overanos. It may Immense elaboration of the mechanical threa are of post-war construction.
be added also that in recent years the equipment of Fighting Services in many Until the expiry of the London Naval range and performance of modern atr countries. Modern forces, whether on Treaty on December 31, 1936, it was not craft have undergone rapid develop, are to be effective, be provided with of this class.
erensingly vulnerable to air attack. arms and defoncee more Ingenious anıt! Two auch ships (costing approxi
of paramount of the extent of the deficiencies to be made good, the underlying any conceived a goneration ago.
in the 1036 new construction pro- Importance, and no effort has been or strategic requirements and the changing conditions of modern
MAINTENANCE
gramme, and preliminary stops have in being spared to bring that Foreo up Moreover, it is not sufficient to equip ordering of three further capital ships clency
been taken which will permit of the to the strength and standard of em- warfare.
which i Majesty'a Govern. The paper states that the modernisation of the defences offered in orat datans in my early in the financial year 1937-8ment doem requisite for our safety.
ansured alag of the swift and steady part of the now construction programme This aim entails both substantial ex strategic points in various parts of the Empire is in itself a replacement of its equipment and sup for that year,
iplier as war proceeds.
soon as that pro- penditure of t capital nature, and a gramme has formidable item in the cost of the Defence programme.
received Parliamentary; large increass in recurrent costs. Authority. This is a circumstance which has a
The programme for the Royal Air 13. In regard to cruisers, snost portant bearing on the cost of stated in the White Paper of March paration of large numbers of new noro
It was Foreo includes the acquisition and pre- the Defence programme.
7. The
lost that our aim was to Increase the dromes, with the building of over 75 growth In the destructive total from about 50 to 70, of which Co operational, training and, other stations number of squadrons entails corres- ponding additions to the capacity of menin generally, traging and other ancillary establish-
STRATEGIC. POINTS IN
EMPIRE
FORMIDABLE ITEM IN COST Powers of Air Forces and their increase would be under-age and 10 over-age, at home and abroad. The increnes in the
THE White Paper reads:
ing range compel the adoption of a and that five cruisers would be laclad whole system of new measures, neces-ed in the 1936 programme, It events, which cannot now be foresarlly involving heavy cost, for air do- seon, should how that amendment fence at home and overseas and for the deemed necessary, and the number of
· Later, a mensura of nereloration was for, either in the maximum In the statement made in the House called
8. While the necessity for modern rained to seven. It is anticipated that cruisers in the 1936 programinte WOR of Commons on February 11, the Chan amount or in the period of yenta speci- protection of the civil population.
Resolution, the equipment and for protection agalart even will be included in the 1937 pro- collar of the Exchequer explained that, fed in the proposed while defenen expenditure during the nec measures will be submitted air attack is common to many nations, ramme.
the wide dispersal of the territories ensuing years could not equitably bev Parilament.
3. In the meantime, as explained in comprised within the British Empire rided upon in the construction of air 14. Some acceleration was also de- met entirely from revenue, and must the Memorandum dated February 11, on and the dependence of thera In part real on appropriationa from
islands craft carriers. Two of these vennels, capital, seither the total amount which the praposo Resolution (Cmd. 5368), upon applies
Overseas lay instead of one as originally contem must he raised from capital, nor the Parliament will retain full control over special
responsibility upon British plated, Forces and, above nil, upon the NAVY two further vessels of this type will
were laid down in 1930, and total period over which nach capital, expenditure must be spremi, could at diture will continue to be shown in the tion overseas, which
The whole of such proposed expen to preserve the freedom of communica probably be included in the 1997 pro- present be predicted.
laid before the fouro of 2. Constitutional usage requires that inten
AVERAGE COST the Bill now proposed to be introduced Commons, and will be subject to the methods of Parliamentary should specify, upward limits which normal
scrutiny and authoriantion.
Defence expenditure.
cannot be exceeded except by further It will also he provided that the sums statutory authority;
which miny ba oppropriated in aid of The authority which in Malenty's Defence expenditure under the Bill Government Meek for the fate of must not in the course of any financial sume not exceeding in the aggregate year exceed the numa shown in the 100 millions, to be applied as ap Estimates Inld In connection with the propriations in aid of the moneys Voten approved by the House of Com- provided by Parliament for the Denons by Resolution in Supply.
fenco Servicen over the five year from Apell 1, 1937, to March 31, 1942, does not imply that the whole of this
aum will In fact be ralued,
The figure of £100 millions represents the maximum aggregato num to be pro- vided from borrowed moneys or from! the Old Sinking Fund towards the tou
II
GROWTH IN COMPLEXITY AND COST OF NEW ARMAMENTS' GENERALLY
4. In the White Paper presented to
existence.
from
is vital to our
gramme,
The personnel of the Force hnú nl- ready risen from 31,000. In 1934 to over 50,000 in 1936, while a further Iarge Increase in contemplated in the coming financial year,
- NEW AERO ENĊINES 26. As regards, equipment, the main consist, of course, of the very large requirement of the Royal Air Force numbers of air-frames and nero-engines necessary to equip the now squadrons and to provide sufficient reserves to ensure tint, the first-line strength can
Further, the development
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III
THE NAVY Construction Of New
Ships
The modernisation of the defences 15. The result of this increased be adequately maintained on netive ser of strategic points in various parts building programme upon Navy Eat! vice. of the Empire is, in itself, a formid-mates may bo tudieated by a consider.
programme.
construction programmes in recent tends to result in the production of years, the figures being those of the more, eielent, but at the same time, completo cost of all vessels laid down more costly machines. in any particular year.
The average cost for the years 1031-4 gramme of expansion include the pro- 26. Other items required by the pro- was less than £12 millions, but the cost vision of specialleed equipment for air- of the 1938 programme. including the craft, stores of bombs and other am-1 measures of neceleration referred to in munition, adequate reserves of fuel, The preceding paragraph, will be rearly additional motor transport and the £50 millions. It is contemplated that storage accommodation required for TO the cost of the 1937 programime will be serves of all kinds, substantially higher..
16. In addition to
27. It must be appreciated that the now, construction, scale of expenditure on the mainten expenditure must also be in nee of the Royal Air Force which but also to cruisern. The provision of This applies, not only to capital ships, of expansion were put in hand will be improved anti-aircraft
very largely increased to provide for defence la re- the future upkeep of the koreg oven/
when the initini expenditure on the ex- pansion progranime has been met.
VI
There is no need to amplify the statement of the Navy's functione con tained in the Walle Papers presented
heavy
cast of Defence which Parliament w Parliament in March, 1936, (Cmd. 5197) to Parliament in 1986 and 1930 (Cmd.curred in modernising existing vessels. obtained before the present
be asked to authorine.
MODIFICATIONS
an outline was given of the objectives 4827 and 107). Hravy expenditure aimed at, with an indication of the must be incurred over the next few principal mensuras necassary for the years the Navy la to be brought up The whole Defence programma will, reconditioning of our forces, as part of to the strength accessary to ensure that however, remain flexible and will be the co-ordinated pinu watch hunt Byon] It will be in a position to perform thes subject to auch modification av elreunt-rawn up. -stances
demand. If Miny
conditions should permit, the programme wil bo curtalled or lá execution will be spreadi over a longer period.
Coming specially
to the
Gloucester
GALA PREMIERE
MARCH 27th
IMMEDIATE RESERVATIONS ADVISED
MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT As that paper shows, grent import- ance hus from the outset been attach-
functions.
10. New construction constitutes one of the main lends of this expenditure. In normal times it is of great advan tege to arrange now construction pro
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At the same time the acquisition in Buffelent quantity and proper quality various equipment of all types which of the ammunition, (ual, stores and the Navy requires has also to proceed. 17. The programas wilt Involve al further large inercase in the strength of the persoanei of the Navy, as well As expenditure on the provision aloptation of new quarters, and on Im partant new works-services-needed the Dockyards and other Naval Eats- ulishments, more particularly in con- 28. The measures bricly referred to nection with storage for ammunition, oil fuel and other reserves.
or
18. The Fleet Air Arm is being sub- stantially increased in numbers of airs craft, and considerable measures of re- equipment are niso necessary to keep pace with the evolution, of more power Tül types.
IV.
THE ARMY Modernisation Of Equipment
19. It was stated in the White Paper of March Inst that the only increase in the number of fighting units in the Regular Arny then proposed was the creation of four new battalions of in fantry. These units are required for maintaining our Overseas garrauns. Two of them are to be raised in the целу futurе.
CAPACITY Emergency Measures For Aircraft-And-Munitions.-
in the preceding paragraphs would not, however, sumed to meet the needs of the Defence Services,, unless adequate preparations were made in peace Eleme to ensure a sufficient supply of muni tiens and stores in time of emergency,
For this reason, steps are being. taken to build up what has come to be known as a "war potential."
Thus to the aircraft industry, over and above the expansion of the cupa eity of the existing aircraft firms, steps have been taken to build "shadow" air. craft factories.
the
These factories will be available in any emergency to provido alreraft in large quantiles, and since they will be used in the Bist instance to supply scheme, the engineering firms who are Kircraft required for the expansion co-operating in the scheme will thereby gnia invaluable experience in. technique of alrecaft manufacture,
20. The sane principle belrig adopted In regard to the supply of ather types of munitions. Extensions Cortaly additional increason are of plant are being laid down by Arne necessary. These includo two new not normally engaged on the produc Army Tank battalions, one of which tion of munitions, and the orders placed will be raised in the near future, and with these firms full the double pur cortain ancillary troops necessary to pose of making good existing deficien- enable a modern force to operats offec- cles, and of providing means for the tively in the fold.
rapid expansion of output in war time. MUNITION FACTORIES
capacity are
being made under arrangements which ensure their retention over a period
20. While recruiting has Already shown some slight improvement, it hos boon deelded to adopt certain measures These extensions of designed to improve canditions in the Army and to make the Barvice are attractive. Details of this scheme will of years, after the existing orders have be announced shortly.
heen completed, in a form capable of The adoption of these measures will rapid turnover bring about a considerable increase In event of emergency.
to munitions in the normal maintenance costs, as a result of the increased numbers which it is resources required by the Forces It is 30. In making plans for the Industrial exported will be borne on the strength, necessary to have regard to the risks and of the additional expense urlblog of air attack. Stens have been requis. from the measures' designed to simu-te in various instances to ensure that late recruiting.
MILITARY EQUIPMENT,
sources of essential supplies aro null- elently dispersed, and in some cases n degree of duplication of essential ser 21. The main increase in expenditure some increase in expenditure,
vlees is necolzary oven at the east of on the Regular Army falls, however, 31. A number of now Government under the heading of equipment. Vlowed factories for the manufacture of ex from the stand-point of the variety and plosives, and for the filling of shells extent of our Imperial responsibiitttes, and hombs, are being built or planned. or of comparison with continental These factories represent in part the forces, our Itegular Army fe small in removal to safer focalities of existing numbers. It is, therefore, all the more establishments, and in part the addi important that its equipment and tlons required to bring capacity up to organisator should be brought up to the Incroaked noads of the three Ber the highest standard in all rospects. vicon.
Accordingly, steps are "now in active progress for the modernisation of the aquipment of the field artillery, in- fantry and all branches of the service. The progress of mechanisation, involv- ing the proviston of a complete system of motor transport and of armoured vehicles of all types, is being acceler Aled.
The requirements of modem war do- | The provision of adequate supplica of mand the accumulation of Immenso re-fuel of the typos required by each of asrvos of ammunition to cover the first the three Berrices and for civilian neods, months before productive capacity can as well as their protection and repleni be increased, and the necessary arshment in the event of war, have ro rangements for this provision are being ceived special consideration.
A
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32. Steps are also being taken to see! that national establishments and In- dustries, vital to the Defence Bervices, are, not paralysed by the shortage of certain essential raw materials. The accumulation of essential reserves for these and other purposes is in hand, and will of course. involve very sub- stantial expenditure.
VII
HOME DEFENCE
23. For the time being the urgent needs of the Regular Army have had require a number of specite cumutes 33. The needs of Home Defence now to take priority over- those of the each of much importance. Territorial Army, But in any survey covering a period of years account vision of anti-aircraft defonce.
- Foremost among there is the pro- must be taken of the requirements of
Two divisions of the Territorial Army the latter more especially since the have been re-formed and greatly ex training of the Torritorial Army is at panded for this csontial service, and present severely handicapped by the further expansion is to take place dur lack of modern équipment. 07.
This expansion involves the provi
this situation, and stope 11. be taken, slon of now Territorial Army headquar
Plans are belog drawn up to remedying the forthcoming year.
as soon as the supply position permits, ta-enable the. Teriliorial Army-to-train
(Continued on Page 10.).
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