As for the policy adopted, it may be summarized in
this way: In addition to the essential requirements of the Navy and the- Army and the Overseas commit- ments, British air power must include a Home Defence Force strong enough to protect us against the strongest single air force within striking distance of this country. The Force is to be organized in part on a Regular per- manent military basis, and in part on a Territorial- or Reserve basis. The fullest use will be made of civilian skill and daring so that the Regular Force may be quickly expanded in time of need by the Reserve Force. In the first instance the- Home Defence Force will consist of fifty-two squadrons. This means an addition to the authorized strength of the R.A.F. of thirty-four squadrons. The Air Minister, Sir Samuel Hoare, stated that the new expenditure this year would not exceed £500,600, and that the ultimate annual expenditure, including PAGE capital and maintenance, would be about £5,500,000. 1072 The scheme could not have been launehed in a more 1073 reasonable spirit, and though the Labour Party is pre- 1074 paring a formal opposition, we are glad to know that 1075 such papers as the Manchester Guardian and the Daily News accept it as necessary. The Manchester Guardian-, 1079 for example, says :— " Looking at Europe as it is, not as one would like it to be or as a few years ago it might perhaps have been made, who would 1080 dare to say that the Government, bitterly though one may resent 1080 the necessity, is rash, provocative, or extravagant in deciding to
build an air force capable of holding its own against any near 1081 neighbour which possesses a fleet demonstrably not intended solely for purposes of defence ? "
