PLANE PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1939, Page 7

PLANE PRODUCTION

BRITISH FACTORIES WORKING AT FULL CAPACITY NFW AIRCRAFT AS FORMIDABLE AS ANY. REMARKABLE PROGRESS RECORDED. (British Official Wireless.! RUGBY, April 4. Speaking in Liverpool on aircraft production, the • Air Minister/' Sir Kingsley Wood, said that the Government had taken many steps to add to the strength of the nation’s defences. and he was glad to see that the aircraft industry, which some time ago was considerably extended, was now working to its full' capacity with energy and speed. They had also in the last year greatly broadened the basis of production of aircraft and greatly extended the policy of taking work to labour. Some 35000 firms were now engaged in sub-contracting work. Britain’s labour forces in aircraft production generally were being steadily increased, and during the last few months had been increased by 40 per cent. Concurrently the country had greatly increased its capacity in the manufacture of engines and the materials, components and accessories of armaments nad of equipment of all kinds. .

The Minister asserted he could say with confidence that the new British aircraft were as formidable as any in the world. In the types now being issued to the bomber and fighting forces Britain possessed the best in the world.

Efforts had still to be intensified, but they could register today a great increase in their intrinsic strength—a strength which was becoming cumulatively more powerful. Speaking of Roote’s aircraft factory, which Sir Kingsley Wood visited today, he said: “The progress of the last few months has been remarkable. My first comment upon this achievement is to thank the many thousands of people who had shown such energy, capacity and speed. 1 know they realise the vital work upon' which they are engaged.” Meanwhile, it is announced that more than 100 squadrons of the Air Defence Cadet Corps have now been formed, and, though a similar number of squadrons remains to be formed, they are coming into existence so rapidly that the limit of 200 squadrons will be reached without much difficulty. This will mean that all the 20,000 cadets whom the Air League set out to organise will be receiving preliminary training in air matters to make them valuable to the auxiliary and volunteer sections of the Air Force as they get older. CO-ORDINATION PLANS FACILITATING PRODUCTION. 'GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE. RUGBY April 4. .Today’s conversations between Sir Kingsley Wood and the French Air Minister, M. La Chambre, ranged over a wide field. It is understood that they have been principally concerned with facilitating the productive effort of the two countries in respect to air frames, aero engines, accessories and equipment generally. Both immediate requirements and the planning of the co-ordination of further arrangements have been kept in view. M. La Chambre had interviews during the day with a number of British Ministers. He returns to Paris tomorrow, but arrangements have been made for the discussions to be continued between technical experts of the British and French Air Ministries.