AIR DEFENCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1938, Page 7

AIR DEFENCES

STARTLING REVELATIONS IN BRITAIN SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF MEN & MATERIAL. EFFORTS TO OVERTAKE DEMANDS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, October 19. Startling revelations of a shortage of guns and equipment for the defence of London are made in a publication of the evidence given before the Select Committee which was set up to inquire into the substance of a statement made by Mr D. Sandys, M.P., on June 27 and the action of the Minister concerned, and also inquired into the question of the applicability of the Official Secrets Act to members of Parliament. Many important details of the evidence, mostly figures, were censored, but it revealed that in an emergency London could be supplied with little more than half the necessary guns, many of which are not immediately available, and some of which must be withdrawn from the army. Sir Edward Campbell, private secretary to the Air Minister, Sir Kingsley Wood, told a public meeting that Britain was expanding her air defences as far as possible. Since April 1400 pilots and observers, 11.000 men, and 2000 boys had started training.

A Cabinet meeting is being held to consider the reports that gaps in Britain’s defence? were revealed during the recent crisis. Cabinet will also possibly consider schemes whereby man power can be organised in a national service in readiness for an emergency.