§ 41. Captain Crowder (for Major-General Sir Alfred Knox)asked the Minister of Production whether our tanks are provided with any apparatus for air conditioning?
§ Mr. LytteltonNo, Sir, but we have made great improvements in ventilation.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it true that many German tanks are provided with this apparatus and that it has been found very effective, and can my right hon. Friend say whether the question of providing such apparatus for our tanks is now being considered?
§ Mr. LytteltonThere is no evidence that enemy tanks have been fitted with air-conditioning or cooling apparatus. An examination of captured enemy tanks does not show that their ventilation arrangements are in any way superior to ours. Tanks to existing designs cannot be fitted with air conditioning apparatus without extensive redesign, which would cause an interference with production.
§ Mr. LipsonHas a request been made by the men who have to use these tanks for such air conditioning, and has it been refused?
§ Mr. LytteltonI have no knowledge of that.
§ Sir Francis FremantleIs it not a great drawback that these questions affecting the health and comfort of those who are to operate the tanks were not properly considered at the outset by the engineers?