London, Dec. 15.
The House of Lords debated the voluntary national service scheme to—day when the Labour Peer, Lord Strabolgi, opened discussions and the Earl of Birkenhead, made certain revelations on behalf of the Government, Outlining the Government's intentions, he declared that they were "by no means Machievellian." They were, he continued, "First, to enlist and enroll for immediate training all volunteers needed to fill gaps in the defence services. Secondly, to lay the foundations for sane and orderly recruiting in time of emergency. Thirdly, to prepare the necessary machinery for a complete National Register when an emergency does arise."
Lord Birkenhead then presents figures upon the strength of the various services, which, he declared, was "generally satisfactory."
Recruits Coming In He revealed that there were 420,000 men and 100,000 women needed for the Air-Raid Precautions organization and that there were 380,000 men and 85,827 women already recruited.
He stated that the Royal Air Force had had vacancies for 2,100 pilots and that 1,300 had been recruited. There were 26,000 mechanics needed at one time, but 18,000 had been enrolled.
Present regular land effectives totalled 201,138, a figure 20,524 less than the normal figure of 221,662, he continued.
The effectives of the Territorial Army amounted to 200,000 as compared to the full-strength figure which would stand at 223,800.
The total number of new constructions for which permits were issued by the Public Works Department up to the end of November is 2,955, which compares with only 1,108 new constructions during the corresponding period of 1937. Further, it is learned that 1,421 building permits have been issued by the Municipal Council up to the end of last month, while last year the total of permits for the entire year was 1,677. The estimated value of construction during the first eleven months of this year is $10,182,000 and this figure is close tothe total for the entire twelve months of 1937—$10,758,000. It is already certain that by the end of this month, last year's total estimated value will be exceeded.
Because of prevailing conditions, by far the greatest portion of this year's building has taken place in the Western and Central districts on the P.W.D. map. This month, however, has shown new activity in the Eastern district—"north of the creek"—some twelve permits for new construction having been issued in the first two weeks of December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.