HC Deb 18 June 1918 vol 107 c159
20. General CROFT

asked whether specimens of the Madsen gun have been sent to General Headquarters, France, for trial; and whether he can state that the immediate manufacture of this weapon will be proceeded with?

Mr. MACPHERSON

A representative of General Headquarters, France, was present at the recent trial, the report of which has been sent to General Headquarters for observations. I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

General Sir IVOR PHILIPPS

Was the officer who came from France a machine-gun expert or was he only a military expert?

Mr. MACPHERSON

He was a very distinguished general.

Sir I. PHILIPPS

Had he any experience of machine-gun manufacture and of its use in the field?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I think every distinguished general in the field has had a great many opportunities of watching the effect of machine guns, and of knowing how they are used.