1938-04-25 — Page 15

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MONDAY APRIL 254 1988

BRITAIN PLANS BIGGER WARSHIPS Empire Will Spend £123,000,000 On Navy In Current Year

139 VESSELS ARE ALREADY ON THE STOCKS

Westminster, 'runk of lieutenant-colonel in the

Royal Murines.

IN the absence through illness of Mr. Duff Cooper, First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. G. Shake speare, Parliamentary Scerotary to the Admiralty, introduced the Navy Estimates in the House of Commons this evening.

Mr. Shakespeare guld that the total for which they asked for 1038 was £123,707,000 of which £30,000,000 was to come from issues from the Consolidated Fund under the Defence Loans Act,

This total of nearly £124,000,000 showed an increase compared with 1937 of £18,500,000,

The expenditure on new construc- tion already authorised apart from the vessels to be ordered in 1938 was £41,500,000. The total number of ships in hand or to be ordered in the year was 139, exclusive of small <rafi.

FIVE NEW CRUISERS

A reduction of 28, a day was to be nude in the full pay of all officers of these ranks with the exception of the few lieutenants concerned.

Marringe allowance for a captain RN. would be is. 6d. a day, and for other commissioned officers is, 6d. The allowances for children would be the same in all cases-28. a day for the first child and Is. a day for each subsequent child.

Upon none more than the warrant officers did the absence of a marriage allowance in the Navy press heavily.

Warrant officers from the age of 25, and commissioned officers from war- rant rank, would receive'u marriage allowance of 38. a day, with 15, 6d. for the first child and 1s. for each subsequent child.

MR. CHURCHILL'S FEARS

The lleutenant from warrant rank would receive 4s. Úd, a dny, with 25. 3. a day for the first and 15, a day for subsequent children.

As to cuts in standard rates, in-

The tonnage in band at present was 347,000, and of this amount delivery of not less than 150,000 tons was ex-herent in the scheme, the warrant pected by March 1939. Or, put in officer would suffer no cut. terms of ships, dicy hoped by about the end of the financial year in March 1938 to have completed in the major classes of ships-

One aircraft carrier,

Five 10,000-tons cruisers, Three flotillas of destroyers of eight each,

Twelvo submarines,

Two submarine depot ships, The new programme would be the subject of a Supplementary Estimate. Referring to the inquiry addressed to Japan by the United

States. Britain, and France regarding the qualitative limits of the London

Naval Treaty, of which 1 Japan was

nat a signatory, Mr. Shakespeare enid that up to the present no Information) had been supplied by Japan.

The question had been referred

back to the individual Governments,

and he was not, therefore, in a posi- tion to make an announcement na to the Government's intentions.

Bat ii, for example, it was con- sidered necessary to exceed the displacement of 35,000 tons Infi down for capital ships, the House could rest assured that plans for so doing were well advanced. Mr. Shakespeare explained that no destroyers were included in the new 1018 programme, because "when we have placed an order for the last flotilla of eight destroyers this week, in completion of the programme for the current year, we shall have no fewer than 40 destroyers on the stocks."

of the new Singapore base, for! which £800,000 was required this year for the continuation of works, Mr. Shakespeare said:

The commissioned offeer from war- rant rank would be cut from 1s. 10 15. Bd., according to seniority, and the

lleutenant from warrant rank would be cut 2s.

It was fell that the automatic system of promotion discouraged xen). It would therefore be re- placed by a system of promotion by selection. It was not Intend- củ that any officers fit for promo- tion should be passed over. The average age for promotion to Heutenant would be accelerated and the promotion of Heutenants from warrant rank would be Increased.

From May 1 an extra ed, a day would be paid to certain ratings and Royal Marines serving on special ser- vlee engagements so as to equate

-

AMERICAN PACIFIC FLEET GOES

DFS]

A VIVID SIX-WEEKS DRAMA of war in the Pacific was portrayed last month by 3,600 officers and 65.000 men, aboard 150 surface ships and 300 fighting planes. It is reported the biggest movement in American naval history, covering manoeuvres from Alsaka to Hawali. Above. some of the ships prepare to leave San Diego, Cal

Scott-Paine Torpedo Shrapnel In His

Boat Condemned

From PERCY CATER

Westminster.

ADMIRALITY inquiries will take place immediately

into allegations made in the House of Commons to-

Heart 20 Years

Brighton.

Frank Verrail, ex-private of the 8th Hattalion Royal Bukseen Regiment, read to-day the story of Maroci Bailleul, French air- man, claimed to be the only man' to live twenty years with a war- time bullet in his heart—and smiled,

To all his friends Frank Verrall,

their scales with the scales of ratings night that engines of a type which had been bought for forty-one to-morrow, looks the pic-

on continuous service.

lure of health. Unknown to them his

Mr. Churchill (Con, Epping), war-£5 to £10 had been fitted into Scott-Paine motor torpedo-life is a day-to-day miracle.

time First Lord of the Admiralty, said

he had one or two criticisms to make, boats of the British Navy.

but they did not imply any want of confidence in the naval administra-

In May 1918 Frank was struck by a plece of shrapnel and taken to hos- vas discovered

pital. At Rouen it Mr. Scott-Paine, it was added, had charged £3,800 for that the shrapnel, nearly as large as

tion or the Board of Admiralty, such engines.

which he believed to be of the very, highest quality.

It was also asserted that the Scott-Palne boats, which cost the He hoped the promise which was mado last year with regard to 10in. British Navy £29,000 each, were obsolete before they were launched,

guns had been carried out, and that all plant was ready to construct them should it be necessary to move to that enlibre.

Otherwise a whole year might be lost.

Ho did not feel conlented that the

five battleships now belug bullt at a cost of £40,000,000 would be armed with guns similar to those being put into contemporary vessels of all the great naval Powers,

and were "held in contempt in the Service."

LA-Cdr. Fletcher (Soc., Nun-time sending abroad boats doing 42 caton), who made the charges, knots, service inden. said that motor torpedo-boats re-i placed coastal motor-boats after) the war.

ENGINE MONOPOLY

Having got this order he found he could not get any 500-horse-power "BOOSTING" THE BOATS marine engines, so he got a monopoly of all 500-horse-power Napier Lion In 1837 articles began to appear in engines. Naplers had long ago given Press boosting these motor up the manufacture of these, but the torpedoboats. The question of the RAF. had a lot not used. Mr.

It appeared from what Mr. Shake-the

near

ja shilling, had lodged in his heart.

Frank, who now lives at Burgess Brighton, said 10- day: "Doctor after doctor saw me. I became a sort of medical show- plece.

"I was told that the shrapnel would kill me, but here I am feeling all right after twenty years. I am married. I have three children and to keep them I go to work as a brick- layer, though I am told to avoid exertion."

spcare had said that the Admirty boats introduced the name of - Mr.] Scott-Palac~ adopted - these engine. / Police to the Admiralty, and "the

These facts were reported by the

rentleman ****0* 'called”- who was

viewed at the Admiralty.

"We now have in Singapore n unse suited to our needs in that part of the world in any circumstances.,

The House will appreciate the difficulty in these days of laying down a specific standard, as was done in pre-war days. Our programma then of which we could never have enough out to Imperial Airways, of which was influenced by treaties of alliance it war began.

and by a policy Based on a balance of) power.

were antisfied that they had enough Scott-Paime, who had at one time for marine work, but they were quite engineering this business was inter- destroyers. That was news to him." He thought they were a commodity started an air service which he sold

the

war.

he became a director.

unsultable.

Three were fitted in each boat, and

All

ho (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) He (Lt.-Cmdr. Fletcher) would "When we consider that we should | He then became sole owner of the could say from conversations with alike to know why the man was not and Germany or Italy in possession British Power Boat Company. He marine officer that these engines prosecuted. The circumstances at- That has not been the case since of submarines numbered by the got a contract from the RAF, which gave trouble. Was the Parliamentary tending the contract for the boats

He Secretary to the Admiralty prepared were certainly unsatisfactory. We have since then hundred, the number of destroyers was never put out to tender. attempted to substitute a policy of we possess is far below the demands also got a contract from Imperial to say that the Admiralty had had the facts would be placed at the collective security based on the that would be made upon them for Airways-of which he was a director consistently satisfactory reports from disposal of the Admiralty who, he League. No one can argue, untor- the security of convoys, for the ser--and again there was no competitive the engineer omcers in respect of hoped, would go into the matter tunately, that collective security, as vices of the fleets, and for all pur- tender.

drastically. such, is reallly effective to-day. We poses of reconnaissance." are still engaged in making up de Aclencles of past years.

• AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

"Schemes for the recruitment, training, and canployment of various classes of naval personnel which will In future be employed in the Fleet Air Arm have already been worked out.

these boats?

He approached the Admiralty A flotilla of these boats had gone; "QUITE GOOD BOATS" He was far from contented with three years ago, and got an order to the type of cruisers now being built. for a number of 7211. motor torpedo- Commander-in-Chief ordered them Admirally, who, with Mr. Geoffrey

the Mediterranean, and the

Col. Llewellin, Civil Lord of the The Southampton class of 9,000 tons, boats, Thornycrofts were де this to proceed at 30 knots and attack a orrned with Gin, guns, was hopelessly

rendezvous 200 miles distant. They | Shakespeare, Parliamentary Secre- inferior to the 10,000-tchs ships, with din. guns, now being constructed by

never arrived. The flolilla ran out tory, was deputising for Mr. Duff Cooper, First Lord of the Admiralty, the

of petrol.

who is ill, undertook, after hearing Germany, Italy, Japan, and United States.

the speech, that if the evidence was given to him as Commander Fletcher promised, he would go fully into the matter at the Admiralty.

GIBRALTAR'S "PERIL"

"Arrangements are being made for He objected strongly to the tax- very close liaison with the Air payers money being taken to con- Ministry, as a permanent measure, in struct ships not capable of meeting design, supply, research and the their natural antagonists. We had malätenance of material and the been drawn into this by treaty co- training of personnel! To this end tanglements, but there were escape proposals are under consideration to clauses by means of which we could increase substantially the number of by negotiation get relief. naval personnel at present serving in the Air Ministry."

"We know that, in Germany there are five. 10,000-ton cruisers with Bha. guns being builk, and none of our ships of comparable clam is within ten years of such ships. We have no ships capable of encountering them in darle ship action. We should have the greatest difficulty, unlem we' build similar vessels, in coping with them

There were at present in com- zabadon

four aircraft carriers. And, five new ones were being constructed. Moreover, it was the Intention to fit all. capital shipe and larger cruisers with Aircraft operated from catapulis. Provision was made for an increase from maximum strength in 1937 to a maximum strength of He entirely agreed as to the very 119,000 for the Navy for 1938. This serious strategic Issues which were total was the highest since 1922. raised by the Italian fortification of The number of men enlisted in the the Mediterranean, which was pro- current year constituted a record for tent only are there the dangers at

consciessly.

ཟླ་

112,000

peace-time. They looked like having,

as near as may be, what they set Gibraltar of fire from land, not only out to achieve an increase of 10,000 the dangers at Malta as affected by Involving the recruitment of nearly massed air attack unless we have 16,000 men and boys,

overwhelming anti-aircraft defence,

would be immensely lightened it the Prime Minister would delegate to Mr. Churchill the task of reorganising and recreating the Navy.

The alleged speed of the boats was 40 knots, but they could not do 200 There was no one better qualified miles at 30 knots. He believed that to carry it out. The First Lord (Mr. fully loaded their maximum speed Dur Cooper) had neither the know-was 33% knots. In February 1938, ledge nor the experience to undertake the comparable Italian boats ran such a tremendous task.

nine hours at 45 knots, service Col. J. J. Llewellin. Civil Lord of loaded. the Admiralty, replying to the debate, sold the Ave now battleships now huilding would have 14in. gans,

If they attempted the change to 10n. guns there would be delay of between three and four years, be- cause the turrets would take so long to manufacture.

A FURTHER ORDER

He hoped they would be able to dispose of it, but if it could not be disposed of the necessary action would be taken.

"These boats, as a matter of fact,"

bad he said, "were not as

ES

Mr. Scott-Paino had just received Commander Fletcher has made out. an order for nine more of the boats They were quite good. They went which failed when tried out in the out to the Mediterranean under their Mediterranean. He enjoyed a virtual own power, monopoly from the R.AF, Imperial Airways, and the

the

Admiralty.

"They were bought and ordered Mr. Churchill had asked for an

quekly during the Italo-Abyssinian Had the Admiralty costing de War and, with regard to Scott- assurance that our essential security would not be imperiled, and if prepartment investigated the price of Paines at the time they were the Uminary preparations were now be these boats Scott Paine boats were only drm that was making such byword in the boat-building trade boats. Vosper has since produced ing made, should it be necessary,

House be told what was a boat and an could the ahead with 16in, guns for the two

experimental one battleships which were projected in

exact purpose for which these which we have bought for the the White Paper which formed the boats were ordered, and why were Admiralty." basis of the Supplementary Estimate. thero no competitive tenders? There

* can give an unqualified

bad been no tenders put out since Buraneo, that we are going for»

1995, S ward now with all the plane Décemary, and will be ready should the time conse, au we hope fo will Mr. Alexander (Soc.,

Hills been

MR. ALEXANDER'S DEMAND

· Mr. Alexazider, a former Socialist The most serious part of the First Lord of the Admiralty, said: business was

was the Napier Lion engines. "I am very concerned about this He could produce evidence from an case, and added that he had had Individual that these engines. had correspondence

་

Mr. Shakespeare gave details of the hist, we have also to consider the very borough): Can some examination be and ought for from 25 to: 210, the First Lonit privately with

schede of marriage allowance an- nounced for officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

yet

were.

Mr. Scott-Palne: had been "In view of the charges made," he special measures that are being taken made of the question of increasing Nine of these bouts he engines sald, a think it essential that they for the fortineation of the island of the charge and improving the service in February 1938, although the are not true, and if you are not able ahould be publicly repudiated if they Panpellaria, with no other object of firing of the 14in. guns? Under present regulations, he said than to enable the Mediterranean to Col. Llewellin: I am told that the They were obsoleto before they were there ought to be a very full and Vosper boat came out in May 1937. to give a full explanation think the lot of the married naval officer he cut in half by an Italian

Dent.

charge is satisfactory, and that our delivered: £29,000 was paid for each detailed inquiry. afloat Without private

resources, was "It is certainly not for our benent naval Cuthorities are fully satisfied ons of continual anxiety. They had that this labour is being undertaken. that the 14in. guns we have got are of these obsolete boats; they were Col. Liewellin said he quite realized consulted officers confidentially as to

said

could

ere were a lot of detailed of marriage allowance or a scale of sillute processes which require the which may not be manned so we

dpoints. run them down with their well 43

bowe Mr. marriage, allowances with additions unceasing vigilance of the Brush Ad-by our own allora,

without opening fire.

Alexander will realise,” he for children. On the whole they pre-miralty and the nation. I have a sort

stated, that it is impossible for me Germany was the only country In June the British Power Boat to go into them and "ive a reply to ferred the latter course, and it had of feeling that we are being netted building the cruise with air; guns Company introduced what could only night, and rather than give such a besti adopted,gla

in from various directions and the Had skagreed to build only be described as a spy into the Vorger reply thought it was better to give In future marriage allowance

We had 15 of them. There works The police thought it was the undertaking that I have given would be payable to the married pe

ROGER KEYESTE

was no reason to suppose that Japan the work of a foreign country. They We will certainly by some method Wal building them, plug you intercepted telephone messages, and make public the result of the inquiry

A Socialist amendment to reduce one message was, "What about the that we will undertake at the vote was detested by 212 to 115; dough?)!);

Admiral(C%

whether they would prefer a dat rate Leros, another bland. All these con-

roh, mother alati foll fanétors n be quite clent andent fact mir was, the destroyer, crews wild, there, and that there

as efficient as 16in. guns,

Seer at the age of 30, and was sup- Bir Kore Koyo (Con. N. Ports- plicable to all ombers, up to the rrok mouth) and the taak of the Minifter Navy, or up to the for? the? Co-ordination of perence

Did I MACLEAN my teeth to-day ?

Ah! I see I did

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