§ 16. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for War and Air, if any estimate can be given of the number of machine guns and small arms now in the possession of Germany; and whether Germany is now in the possession of any apparatus for the production and use of poison gas, either immediately or at short notice?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR and AIR (Mr. Churchill)It is impossible to give any accurate estimate of the number of machine guns and rifles now in the possession of Germany until the Inter-Allied Military Commission of Control have completed their inspection of all German war material dumps and munition factories. The Commission are now actively engaged in checking and supervising the destruction of German war material, and will report fully in due course. A large amount of war material has already been destroyed.
Similarly, it is impossible to give an answer to the second part of the question until the Commission of Control have completed their work of inspection of the factories.
§ Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when the Allied Mission of Control has finished its labours, the report, if any, will be available to Members of the House?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI should think so, but I cannot give any definite undertaking and it must be left to the Allies. I should think the report will be available to the Parliaments of all the countries concerned.