§ I now turn to production. As regards equipment, the Forces have for the last five years lived largely on their stocks; and there is now urgent need of an increased production programme concentrated mainly on increasing their fighting strength. We intend to carry out this production programme to the limit of the resources under our control. The completion of the programme in full and in time is dependent upon an adequate supply of materials, components and machine tools. In particular, our plans for expanding capacity depend entirely upon the early provision of machine tools, many of which can only be obtained from abroad.
§ The effort we are making is an integral part of North Atlantic defence, the success of which will depend upon our defence preparations, which in their turn will depend on the mutual availability of machine tools and raw materials.
§ If our plan is fully achieved, expenditure on production for the Services in 1951–52 will be more than double the rate for the current year; and by 1953–54 583 it should be more than four times as great. By then we should have quadrupled our annual output of tanks and combat aircraft. We shall introduce new types of equipment as rapidly as possible. New types of fighter aircraft will come into service in larger numbers. Production of the twin-engined Canberra bomber will be increased, and the first order is being placed for a four-engined jet bomber.
§ Combat vehicles of new design will be introduced, and there will be notable improvements in the supply of new types of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and equipment. The programme for building and converting ships to deal with the submarine and mining threats will be greatly accelerated. We shall also see that the Services have the stores, clothing and equipment required to enable them to be ready for operations immediately upon mobilisation.
§ We also intend to accelerate as far as we can the measures we already have in hand for accumulating stocks of food and raw materials, as an insurance against interruption of imports in war. The limiting factor is not money but availability of supplies, particularly as regards raw materials. It will be our policy to make full use of the Commodity Group machinery that is being set up following my visit to Washington.