§ 11. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the opinion of the militay advisers of all the Allied Governments, the value attaching to the use of heavy machine guns in modern war 1601 had been amply established; whether the specialist training and recruitment of the Machine Gun Corps when first formed was welcomed by all British commanders in the field; whether, at the conclusion of hostilities, the discipline, morale, and efficiency of the Machine Gun Corps stood very high; whether the opinion of the General Staff Committee that had this matter under consideration was in favour of its definite retention under peace conditions; whether it had now been decided that the Machine Gun Corps would cease to exist early next year; and whether, if this decision had been come to, steps would be taken to consider whether the Machine Gun Corps would become incorporated in two British Infantry regiments specially qualified by history and recruiting conditions to assume this new role?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am not in a position to speak as regards our Allies, but, so far as the British Army is concerned, I may say that for a war of the magnitude of the last one the value of heavy machine guns was amply established. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are also in the affirmative. With regard to the remainder of the question, no decision has yet been reached, and my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that there is no danger of the value of the machine gun being lost sight of in the reorganisation now being considered. All the points he raises have already been discussed, and will be fully considered before a final decision is taken.
§ Major GLYNMay it be assumed that no decision will be taken until a joint General Staff has been formed capable of forming an opinion as to the best means of practising economy?
Mr. CHURCHULIf I were to take up the position that no decision about the future organisation of the Army is to be taken until some organisation of a joint General Staff is completed, the Army Council not yet having approved of its being called into being, it would obviously preclude any advance being made towards settling the Estimates of next year.
§ Major GLYNWill the opinion of the General Staff be carried out by the Army Council before this important branch of the Service, the Machine Gun Corps, is abolished?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe matter must be settled by the Army Council, the supreme 1602 authority dealing with the Army. They will have before them the advice of the joint General Staff and any other military opinions they wish. It will be settled on their initiative with my approval