§ 27. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the large number of American Sherman tanks lying unused in this country; and whether he will arrange to equip British units with these tanks in preference to less reliable British tanks?
§ Sir J. GriggThe American tanks in this country are intended for the equipment of British Forces or for the accumulation of the necessary reserves. Naturally I do not propose to give information about the equipment of British formations which might be of value to the enemy but I may say that I do not accept the implications of either part of the hon. Member's Question.
§ Mr. HammersleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the large numbers referred to in the Question are arrived at after making allowances for reserves on the most generous scale, and am I to understand that there are not sufficient armoured units to be furnished with these American tanks?
§ Sir J. GriggThe hon. Member is repeating the implication which I expressly refused to accept, namely, that there are tanks in this country which are being wasted.
§ Mr. StokesMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether we are to infer that he is satisfied that the British tanks in use in this country are better than the Sherman tanks?
§ Sir J. GriggPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.