London, June 29.
Sir 'Thomas Inskip, the Minister for' the Ca-Ordination of Defence, addressing @ gathering of over 1,006 business men in the City. of London, made important references to the progress in Britain's _rearmament. Programme and the Government's Plans in ease of national emergency.
He declared that the Navy's readlness for her task is much greater than it was twelve months ago. Vast Fesources of of fuel have already been accumulated, Britain's "battleships will be the best protected in the world. Her cruisers and destroyers, having. regard to treaty Umits,' wilt provide the highest standards in power and efficiency of gun armament possible to-day.
Provision has been made fo store some of the most important raw materials that would be required it an' emergency should arise, Considerable supplies of essential commodities are now available, Steps had been taken for increasing the food supplies of the country and for the supply and distribution of foodstuffs for the fighting and civil populations.
Sir, Thomas, said that of the 123 air squadrons formed at home since Fearmament began, all but one would be-up fo full strength by the end of July, 'THe Minisler added. "nothing we propose is intended for aggression. It.1s for defence."—Wireless through, Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.