AIR COUNCIL

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20501, 18 May 1938, Page 7

AIR COUNCIL

RESIGNATION OF MEMBER LORD WEIR WITHDRAWS SYMPATHY WITH LORD SWINTON (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, May 17 It is understood that Lord Weir has resigned from the Air Council in sympathy with Viscount Swinton. Lord Weir joined the Air Council three years ago at the request of Earl Baldwin, then Prime Minister, and agreed to assist the Air Ministry and the Committee of Imperial Defence in an advisory capacity, particularly regarding Industrial problems arising in national defence. Lord Weir, head of the Scottish engineering firm of G. and I. Weir, Ltd., was Director-General of Aircraft Construction during the war, and in 1918 he became Air Minister. He has been consulted by the British Government on many important matters since then, and in 1936 he was asked to supervise the industrial side of the rearmament programme.. He has spent most of his time on the expansion of the Royal Air Force, working closely with Viscount Swinton. The production of steel, mechanised vehicles for the army and supplies of all kinds have come under his purview. MR CHAMBERLAIN INDISPOSED POSTPONEMENT OF DEBATE DISCUSSION ON AIR DEFENCE (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Mav 18, 11 a.m.) LONDON, May 17 Sir John Simon announced in the House of Commons that Mr Neville Chamberlain’s indisposition will prevent his presence in the' House of Commons on May 19, therefore the air defence debate will be postponed. THE LABOUR MOTION AN AMENDMENT TABLED SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, May 17 One hundred supporters of the Government in the House of Commons have tabled an amendment to the Labour motion seeking an inquiry into the air defence administration, promising the Government their fullest support and deprecating an inquiry as hampering progress. The motion tabled by the Conservative members on May 13, asking for an independent inquiry, has been withdrawn.

RE-ARMAMENT WORK EMPLOYERS AND TRADE UNIONS EFFECT TO RAISE PRODUCTION (Official Wireless) RUGBY, May 16 A conference between employers and trade unions in the chief industries involved in rearmament work will be held on May 25 to explore further questions raised by the recent appeal by the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, and Sir Thomas Inskip, and to consider means of facilitating production in connection with the acceleration of the rearmament programme.