§ 49. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether in respect to tanks now being supplied to the Army, he has furnished the War Office with such data as will enable them to work out the radius of action within which reasonable reliability may be expected?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanBefore a new type of tank is approved for operational use, tests are carried out under conditions approximating as closely as possible to service conditions. The War Office are given full reports of these tests, upon which an estimate can be made of the expected useful life of the various parts. An accurate estimate of the reliability of tanks can only be obtained by experience gained during the training period, when the closest liaison is maintained between the Ministry of Supply and the War Office.
§ Mr. HammersleyWill every effort be made to endeavour to improve the reliability of tanks through the designs department in order that larger areas of effective action will be available?
§ Mr. MacmillanYes, Sir.