§ Mr. ATTLEE(by Private Wotice) asked the Lord President of the Council whether he has any statement to make in regard to the air policy of the Government?
§ Mr. BALDWINEver since the War, successive Governments in this country have actively pursued a policy of international disarmament. In our efforts to further this policy by example as well as precept we have reduced our own arma- 1274 ments to a dangerously low level in the hope that others would follow our lead. But the disarmament negotiations have been drawn out longer than anyone anticipated. The Preparatory Commission lasted from 1926 to December, 1930, inclusive. The Disarmament Conference opened on 2nd February, 1932, and has pursued its labours ever since. During these 81 years, misgivings have arisen from time to time in many quarters at the increasing accummulation of deficiencies in our Defence Services, particularly in view of the increased expenditure on armaments in many other countries.
Most of the leaders of all three parties are familiar with the position in its general outline, not only from knowledge acquired while in office, but also from a three-party conference on Disarmament in 1931, in the privacy of which all the facts of the situation were disclosed in confidence.
The Government's policy remains one of international disarmament, and we have by no means abandoned hope of reaching some limitation. As mentioned in the Debate on 13th July, we are even now making fresh efforts to break the virtual deadlock that exists at Geneva. Unfortunately, however, particularly in view of past experience, we cannot count on an early result, and in view of our commitments under the Covenant of the League and the Locarno Treaty, the many symptoms of unrest in Europe and elsewhere, and the failure of other governments to follow our example by comparable reductions, we have for some time felt that the time has come when the possibility of keeping our armaments at their present low level must be reconsidered, in the absence of comparable reductions by other Powers. This is a situation which, I believe, leaders of all parties have foreseen must sooner or later be reached.
In the light of these considerations, the whole question of Imperial defence and the part to be played in it by the three Defence Services has been for some months under review by the Government. It is not necessary to-day to give any complete account of our inquiries or of the detailed conclusions at which we have arrived. The deficiencies which it will be necessary to make good are largely deficiencies in equipment and 1275 stores which, as I mentioned in my speech on 21st March, have grown up owing to financial stringency and the discussions on disarmament. In these respects, the results of our inquiries will be reflected in the Estimates for future years, and can be more conveniently discussed when those Estimates are debated.
So far as the Royal Air Force is concerned, however, the position is rather different. Here it is a case of the need for further development, which has time and again been postponed, in addition to the need for making good deficiencies. We have come to the conclusion that we cannot delay any longer measures which will in the course of the next few years bring our air forces to a level more closely approaching that of our nearest neighbours. Moreover, in the case of the Royal Air Force, specific undertakings have been given that an announcement will be made before the end of the present Session.
Before coming to the programme we have decided to adopt, I would emphasise that many factors which have influenced our decision are still fluctuating and liable to change. This applies equally to the future of disarmament and the whole international situation. Consequently our defensive position will have to be kept constantly under review, and we reserve the right to modify or adjust the programme in the light of new factors that may arise.
Subject to this caveat we have decided on a programme covering the present and the four ensuing years, under which the Royal Air Force will be increased by 41 new squadrons, including those already announced in the 1934 programme. Of these 41 squadrons, 33 will be allotted to Home Defence, raising the existing 42 squadrons at home to a total of 75 squadrons. The remaining squadrons are for service with the Fleet Air Arm or abroad. The rate at which this programme can be carried out within the five years must depend upon various considerations, including finance, which I cannot specify now. We hope, however, so to space out the work, as not to make an unmanageable addition to the Estimates in any one year.
§ Mr. ATTLEEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether that announcement 1276 involves the introduction of Supplementary Estimates?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would rather deal with that question and—may I say beforehand—with any supplementary question on this statement, when we have the Debate. I hope that it may he possible to arrange a Debate before we rise. I think it is very important that we should. The Government have a case which they desire to put before the House and the country, and no doubt there will be many Members in all parts of the House who will wish to carry a full investigation into these matters. I prefer to reserve my reply to that question until the occasion of the Debate.
§ Mr. ATTLEEI beg to give notice that we intend to raise this matter as soon as an opportunity is afforded.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELPrior to the Debate taking place, would the Government present a White Paper to the House showing more precisely the effect of this programme both in regard to the present and future strength of the Air Force, and its financial aspects?
§ Mr. BALDWINI will consider that and see what can be done.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLDoes not my right hon. Friend see that it will be very difficult to discuss this matter next week unless we have something much more definite than the statement. Which he has made?
§ Rear-Admiral Sir MURRAY SUETERThe Members of the Air Committee have asked me to thank the Lord President of the Council—
Sir M. SU ETERMay I ask the acting Prime Minister whether he does not think that five years is rather too long—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time for a Debate.
§ Mr. MAXTONCould the right hon. Gentleman give us some indication of the kind of opportunity that will be presented to us for the discussion? Is he thinking in terms of its being raised on the Motion for the Adjournment for the Autumn Recess, or on a Motion on the Paper which will enable Members to vote on the subject?
§ Wing-Commander JAMESIn the Debate that is foreshadowed, will facilities be given for discussing air defence in its proper relation to Imperial defence as a whole, and not be solely confined to air defence?
§ Mr. BALDWINIt is quite impossible to answer that question at the moment because it must depend on the form of the House under which the Debate takes place, and also on the Ruling of the Chair at the time. With regard to the Debate, it is a matter for discussion now through the usual channels. I cannot myself say what form it will take, but it is quite clear that everyone will desire that a full day's discussion shall be given to it. If there be a desire, on the part of the Opposition for example, that the Debate should take place on a Motion, I have no doubt that that, can be arranged through the usual channels.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCould the Lord President answer the question which ventured to ask, following on the question put by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel), as to whether some further information as to the scale and the time-table of this expenditure, and the contingent expense which would attach to it in successive stages, should not be placed before us before we attempt to discuss it?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am not quite sure whether at the moment I am prepared to put forward a time-table, but I will see what can be done. The reasons for the action we are taking could not go into a White Paper, but would have to be developed in the speeches. I think that probably it will be for the convenience of the House if I speak at the beginning of the Debate, and try to make clear the whole position of the Government and what we are aiming at; and then what I may call the more technical points might be raised later. I hope to be in a position to give the House ample material on which to base the Debate.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI gather that my right hon. Friend will see what can be done with regard to laying a White Paper?
§ Mr. BALDWINindicated assent.
§ Mr. ATTLEEMay I ask that that should be done as soon as possible, because the right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Members who took part 1278 in the tripartite discussion are now all included in the Government, and are not on this side?