§ 54. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether it is due to orders for machine guns not having been placed at the same time as the orders for certain aeroplanes that it has been found necessary to purchase machine guns in Sweden or other foreign countries?
§ Sir T. InskipI am reluctant to publish piecemeal information as to progress in relation to particular items in the re armament programme, but in the special circumstances of this case I may say that the facts are that comparative trials were held in 1934 and 1935 to select replacements for the heavy and the light machine guns in use by the Royal Air Force. Supply of a type of British design chosen to replace the light gun presented no difficulties. The most suitable type of available heavy gun was, however, of American design. Arrangements were made for its production in this country, but it was clear that these arrangements could not become effective in time to meet the requirements of the accelerated expansion programme. An interim supply was accordingly ordered from America. Production by British firms is now proceeding satisfactorily. No machine guns for aircraft have been ordered from Sweden.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherDoes not the fact that these orders for machine guns have been placed abroad indicate 1050 that there was a serious failure to foresee requirements?
Mr. De la BèreIs not this a similar question to the one I put to the Secretary of State for War? Where is the Secretary of State for War?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I have an answer to my supplementary question?
§ Sir T. InskipI should have thought that the answer is that the hon. and gallant Member may draw his own inference.