§ 32. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for War when the first trial of the Bren gun took place in this country and what other guns were tried out against it; on what date the gun was accepted for use in the British Army; when the first deliveries of the gun were made; what is the rate of delivery at the present moment; when it is expected that the machine-gun at present in use in the British Army will be entirely replaced by the Bren gun; and whether any royalty or licence is payable to any foreign Government or firm in respect of the Bren gun?
§ Sir V. WarrenderThe first trial in this country of what was then known as the Z.B. gun took place in 1930, and, after comparative trials with a considerable number of other types between 1930 and 1935, the Bren pattern was adopted in the latter year. As I informed the House on 13th July, the first deliveries of British manufacture were made in September, 1937, but I trust the hon. and gallant 1975 Member will not press for any information as to present and future deliveries. A royalty is paid to the patent owners in Czechoslovakia.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherWill the hon. Gentleman state the amount of the royalty and which firm are the patentees?
§ Sir V. WarrenderIt would be against the general practice to disclose the amount of the royalty. The name of the patent owners is the Ceskoslovenska Zbrojovka.
§ Mr. BellengerIn view of the fact that the design was adopted in 1935, what is the reason for the delay in the manufacture of these guns?
§ Sir V. WarrenderThere has been no delay in the manufacture of these guns. In 1936 it was stated in this House that deliveries would commence in the autumn of 1937, and they did so.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs not the cost of manufacturing the guns rather high, as much as £;76 per gun being quoted?
§ Mr. MuffWould the hon. Gentleman send a Bren gun to the York military depot so that they will know what a Bren gun looks like?