12. Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER CLAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether a 20-shot automatic was given extended trials by the Army authorities in France in 1917 with highly satisfactory results and was adopted for use in the Army; whether manufacture was started on a large scale in this country in 1918; 1078 and whether this weapon is yet in the; hands of the troops?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLTrials were carried out with a self-loading semi-automtic rifle in France in 1917. These trials were confined to ten specimens made by hand. The War Office asked for supplies of these weapons in the spring of 1918, and arrangements to manufacture were commenced. Owing to the length of time necessary to produce a rifle of this description in large standard quantities by machinery, and in view of the changed military situation, it was decided in October, 1918, to abandon the manufacture.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat question must be addressed to the Minister of Munitions.