BRITISH ARMY ESTIMATES FOR 1937

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 375, 5 March 1937, Page 5

BRITISH ARMY ESTIMATES FOR 1937

SHOW INCREASE OF OVER SEVEN MILLION POUNDS.

EXPANSION AND ACCELERATION OF DEFENCE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED.

RECRUITING STILL BELOW NATION’S NEEDS

(Press Association—Copyright.)

Received 1 1 a.m.

LONDON, March 4.

The Army Estimates for 1937 total £63,120,000, representing an increase of £7,238,000 on 1936. It was explained, hcwever, in Mr. Duff-Cooper’s accompanying memorandum, that the estimates would have been £82,174,000, constituting an increase of £26,293,000 over those of 1936, but for the proposal to meet the Army expenditure on equipment, works and services, including huge munition supplies to the extent of £19,054,000, by new issues from the Consolidated Fund under the Loans Bill.

It was further explained that, whereas in 1936 £551,800 was included in the Army Estimates for the construction of new

Government factories, provision for the expenditure in 19?7 of £7,946,000 is includin the Royal Ordnance Factories estimate and issues from the Consolidated Fund under the Defence Loans Bill. The increased expenditure for 1937 is mainly due to the expansion and acceleration of the programme of bringing the military programme up-to-date. There has been marked ceaseless activity last year in every sphere of military policy, including the mechanisation and modernisation of the Army and in the improvement of coast and air defence at home and abroad.

Mr. Duff-Cooper, Secretary of State for War, says: “Our joint aim is to produce military forces which will be adequate to supply increased garrisons at home and overseas, and the maintenance of order in the Empire. The Army establishment, including India, is 168,900, compared with 158,400 in 1936 and 186,400 in 1914.”

He added that although recruiting had improved in recent weeks, it is yet below our hopes and needs. Six munition factories are being erected in the distressed areas, and others will be necessary. Five home cavalry regiments are being mechanised, two being experimentally mechanised in Egypt. The estimates for Royal Ordnance factories total £16,164,000, an increase of £lO,l 78,000.