15 MARCH 1924, Page 3

Mr. Leach's statement on the Air Estimates which were presented

to the House of Commons on Tuesday was a great improvement on his earlier speech. He made it plain, as Lord Thomson had made it plain last week in the House of Lords, that the Government recognize that they have a duty in the matter of National Defence. They have therefore adopted almost bodily Sir Samuel Hoare's scheme for the expansion of military and civil aviation. The chief exception which they take to Sir Samuel Hoare's policy is with regard to airships. They are not yet convinced that airships are worth while. Perhaps they will reconsider the question when the Committee which is investigating the Burney Scheme for Imperial Airships has reported.