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London, Jan. 27.
Progress in Great Britain's air-defence programme was outlined in the House' of Commons. to-day by' Sir Thomas Inskip, Minister for the Coordination of Defence, in answer tu 8 motion by a Conservative member alleging the inadequacy of the pro: gramme.
Sir Thomas said that at present 7 squadrons had been formed, of which thirteen "were sill on a one-fight basis. "He explained that new squadrons were formed by "Aiving off" Might and gradually adding.men and aircraft. He anticipated that 100 squadrons would be formed by the fend of March, of which 22 would be fon a one-fight basis. "If expectations were fulfilled, the remaining 24 or at any rate twenty squadrons would be formed by July."
'The graph line, Sir Thomas. continued, "was slowly' rising. and the Une of ascent would become steeper the months" passed. Reasons Cor Coy delay included the necessity of policing {te Mediterranean, while It was not proposed to use foreign machines because of the delay In obtaining them and the possible dimcullies of their equipment in war-time.
Foreign machine tools were being used {oa considerable extent but It was hoped that deliveries from British factories would be completed by_the end of the year, Shadow factories would begin production in the Autumn and engine Production would begin in January, 1038, Sir Thomas said.
The country's anti-aircraft defence was the best that could be slevisn and. the Government believed it would "prevent attacks from ever Feaching Uhelr objectives.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.