§ 7. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether no report upon our lack of a sufficient number of machine guns, as compared with the German equipment in this behalf was received from the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief or any of our generals on the Western front until upwards of ten months had elapsed from the commencement of the War; or whether such reports, if received, were not communicated to the Minister of Munitions?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir; recommendations for increase in the scale of machine guns were received from Field-Marshal Sir John French before the date indicated in the question, and steps were taken to provide considerably more than the number for which he asked. These recommendations, of course, formed the basis of the statement of requirements for the War Office which was communicated to the Ministry of Munitions.
§ Sir J. D. REESWas the Minister of Munitions mistaken in the reference he made to this matter?
§ Mr. TENNANTI think I indicated that there had been a misapprehension.