Referring to particular points raised by Mr. Churchill in regard to the extent of German armament, Mr. Baldwin said the secrecy enshrouding what was going on in Germany had made it difficult for him to give particulars.
Rumours had been prevalent about the formation of an army. HM. Government believed they were founded on fact and that Germany was increasing and extend. ing her long-service army of 100,000 men into a shortaservice peace time army of 300,000, That was the claim made for her at the time she left the Disarmament Conference. To what extent it had been completed, he could not say for certain, think i is correct to say that the Germans are engaged in creating an air force," continued Mr. Baldwin, "I think most of the accounts given in this country and the press are very much exaggera ated. "I cannot give the actual number of service type aircraft, but T can give two estimates between which the correct figures can probably be found. 'The figures we have range from x figure from a source of indisputable authority of 600 military aircraft altogether, and the highest figure that' we have been given, also from a very good source, not over 1,000. The probability is that the figure ranges between these two, but nearer which limit T cannot' say.
"It is interesting to note that the French Government gave the figure of military aircraft at 1,100. So far og we know, mo service units yet been formed although they have some bombers, but there is great waste being shown in the prepara ion of aerodromes and great secrecy In their construction and as to where they are."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.