Britain To Accelerate Her Defence Plans

Chronicle (Levin), 23 February 1949, Page 5

Britain To Accelerate Her Defence Plans

LONDON, Fe"b. 21. A decision to strengthen Britain 's defence forces by speeding up the programme for refitting ships of the reserve iieet, and to iniprove equipment and stocks generally, is disclosed in a White Paper dealing with the supplementary estimate of £15,500,000 for the Navy. The original estimate for the year ending March 31 was £153,000,000. The White Paper says that about £12,500,000 is required for the reiitting and repk'nishnient of stocks and for the ciiiployinent of a greater number of civilians because of the accelerated programjjie, and to release navai ratings for service at sea. Navy estimates for the eoming financial year total £189,250,000. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Lord Hall} in an explanatory statement says the estimates provide for a total naval force of 153,000. It will still take tiine, however, to eliminate all Jack of balance in naval manpower. Naval estimates for the eoming linancial year sliow that oue tleet aircraft-carrier, oue light cruiser, and seven destrovers will be under construction on March 31 this year.

Britain 's present active fleet strength is shown as two battleships (Vanguard and Duke of York), one fleet carrier ( fmplacaljle), four light carriers, 15 eruisers, 33 destrovers, 25 frigates, 30 submarines and 14 minesweepers. Vessels launc.hed, but not yet eommissioned, are one fleet "carrier, seven Jight carriers, tliroe eruisers, one destroyer and one frigate. Ships being used experimentally and for training include three battleships, two fleet carriers, twc light carriers, two eruisers and 20 destrovers.