Tanks (Hansard, 10 February 1943)

§ 59. Mr. Stokes
asked the Minister of Supply what tank in production in this country is equal to the German Tiger, which weighs 62 tons and mounts an 88-mm. gun with an effective range of 4,500 yards?

§ Sir A. Duncan
It is clearly not in the public interest to give information of the nature asked for.

§ Mr. Stokes
Does the Minister really mean that it would be most awkward for the Government if they had to tell the truth about it? Does his answer not show that it is essential that we should have an early Debate on tanks?

§ Sir A. Duncan
No, Sir. That is not my meaning. My meaning is that it would be disadvantageous to the public interest to give the information.

§ Mr. Shinwell
While agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman on the need for concealing details, and for not furnishing information to the enemy, might I ask whether he could say categorically that we are now producing a tank equal to the best that the enemy has got? [HON. MEMBERS: "Do not answer."] I am not asking for details. Are we to understand from the silence that that is not the case?

§ Mr. Thorne
Are not our tanks knocking the Germans to pieces in Russia?