§ 22. Lieut.-Colonel HILDERasked the Secretary for War whether the final design of the new type of tanks for the purpose of war has been decided upon; and, if so, before embarking upon the heavy expenses connected with standardisation, whether he is satisfied that they will reasonably overcome all known obstacles or methods both of attack and defence?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA stage in the design of tanks has been reached which is considered to be a distinct advance upon all earlier types, but it is in no sense regarded as the final design for war purposes Tanks are still in their youth, and as the result of research and experiment it should be possible in the future to design and produce tanks in every way superior to the latest type now in existence. While, therefore, it may be necessary from time to time to incur certain expenditure in manufacture in order that a particular design may be thoroughly tested, there is no intention of embarking upon any heavy expenditure to standardise a type that is bound to become obsolete as research and experiment proceed.