BURDEN OF DEFENCE

Chronicle (Levin), 8 March 1947, Page 5

BURDEN OF DEFENCE

Correspondent).

Britain s Reccvery Affected , SERVICE EST1MATES REVIEWED

(Special

Received Friday, 7 p.m. LONDON, March 7. j In the liglit of Britain 's economic difficulties, the recentiy publislied estimates for the armed services have been noted with more than usual interest. A demand for the >,eduction of these lorces is being urged iiersistently, especially in Labour Party and trade ■ ..nion ranks and it is antieipated that .he subjeci will shortly be raised in the I Jommons. Objections are also expected co the Conscription Bill likely to be •lebated after the Easter reeess. Many people feel that at a time wlien her industrial manpower shortage is i causing anxiety, Britain should cut her armcl forces to the lowest possible lig- ' are and soi^ie even go as far as to de- : clare that conscription should be aban- ! doned .altogether. It is reported that ( > o t h these views are causing Air. Attlee [ and Air. Alexander some worrv, espec.i-, i!ly as these opinions are linked with I criticisni of Air. Bevin's foreign policy1 and the niaiiitenance of British inte"rnational eommitments. As publislied, the estimates show tliat j in the coming linancial vear, Britain is io spend £798,700,000 on her armed forces. .She will start the finauclal year with a total of at least 1,771,000 men in the servieos. The Army estimates provide for a maximum strength on April 1 of 1,2 10, 000 and a total ex jienditure during the vear of £388,000,00(1. The Xavy's expenditure is to be £19,(570,000, with a strength of 191,000. The Air estimates provide for an expenditure of £214,000,000 with a maximum strength of 370,000. The target now set for the armed foYces as a whole is 1,087,000 on A Birch 1, 1948, and it is assumed that the Army will then account for (550,000 and the Navv and R.A.F. for 43 7, 0(H). In the meantime the Government }iroposes to release by Deceniber 31 this year, those who served four v'ears or more, and before the end of Decembei 1948 those with two or more yearfi' service. Whether Britain will be able to alford to keep her armed forces at such a lignre by voluntary enlistnient and conscription, is a ..question being increasingly (liscussed. Lieutenant-Gen-eral II. G. Alartin, the Daily Telegraph military correspondent, assumes that if Britaiil is to mahitahi well armed and up-to-date forces, the actual cost to the Army may remain at £300,000,000 to £400,000,000, and the cost of the armed forces as a whole perhaps twice as

mucli. If the Government should not be able to meet the long-term cost they must seek a new way to incrfease Britain 's industridl and war potentials. He says the answer lies with the trade unions and nations of the Commonwealth. It is for trade unions to persuade workers to increase the output, while in the Commonwealth closer consultation and formulation of a common policy and a more equal sliaring of the burden of defence, are needed. Afuch more on this subject is -likely to be heard in the near future.