The Royal Air "Fores will be London, July 10
fnerensed by 41 new squadrons during the ensuing four years, it was. one Rounced to-day" by. Int. "Stanley Baldwin, the acting' Prime Minister and Lord President. of the Counci, in addressing the House of Commo "We see a situation in which the League of Nations has been weakened, T hope temporarily, by the absence of permanent members and by. the lukewarmness of other members.
"We see in most countries an increase in their armament and we have seen within 12 months a complete new political situation Germany." Mr. Baldwin said.
Included among the 41 squadrons are' those already at nounced for the 1934 programme it of the new squadrons ilotted to home defence, thereby raising the existing 42 home squadrons to 75. The remainder will serve with the fleet or abroad. The addition of these planes to the Royal Air Force will be made in line with Mr. Baidwin's recent declaration that Britain will build up her air defences to parity with any other country within striking distance of Great Britain, Mr. Baldwin said that the British Government is "even now making fresh efforts to break the virtual "In the light of these various factors, we have come to the conclusion that it is necessary for our country to increase this particular force. "I would only add this." Mr. Baldwin said in conclusion, "that 1 have not lost hope of limitation, and we shall pursue so far as we can in the cliff. culties of the present situation that end of a limitation."
At St. Helen's in Lancashire, Lord Hailsham delivered an equally strong address in defence of the new air pol britain, in fact, had set an example in disarmament until she had reduced her position to the very verge of risk," he said. "We could not afford to remain in that position." deadlock that exists in Geneva" and has not yet abandoned hope for an international agreement on general Limitation of armaments.
A. substantial supplementary budget for the air force will be submitted to Parliament in the near future, it was believed. Britain al randy has 91 squadrons at home an abroad.
Hope still survives in some quarters that Britain, having revealed definite plans for building up her War and Declaration "I do not believe those pseudo-pessimists who try to persuade you Into thinking that if we were wholly unarmed the results will be universal believe that by: declaring that under no circumstances should we take part in a European war we shall [be doing our best to produce a European war. If we declare to nations of the world that whatever attacks they make on us we would
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