§ 32. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a firm, of which he has been informed, is cutting up tanks for scrap; what types of tanks these are; and whether any of them have been used in action?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)Yes, Sir, I am aware that tanks are being cut up for scrap. They are those which are either worn out or which through the passage of time have become obsolete. To state what types are involved would be of value to the enemy. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."
§ Mr. StokesIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to state the name of the firm which is doing this work? Is he aware that I have in my hand a report 1067 which states clearly that some of the tanks being cut up are practically new, having been made as recently as last year?
§ Sir J. GriggI do not know the name of the firm.
§ Mr. HammersleyWill my right hon. Friend now give instructions that no manpower, and materials of ordnance and R.E.M.E. shall be wasted in the overhaul of the tanks which are now obsolete?
§ Sir J. GriggMy hon. Friend has a Question on the Paper about it. It is quite a different point.
§ Mr. StokesWhy did the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary to remove the name of the firm from the Question if he does not even know what the name of the firm is? I gave it.
§ 71. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Secretary of State for War whether the recent comparative trials of American Sherman tanks with British A.27 (M) and A.27 (L) tanks has proved the A.27 (M) to be the best?
§ Sir J. GriggIt is not in the public interest to disclose information relating to comparative trials of armoured fighting vehicles.
§ Mr. HammersleyWill my right hon. Friend now take to heart the lessons of this trial, and will he see that these very reliable Sherman tanks, which are now available in very large quantities in this country, are allocated to British units?
§ Sir J. GriggThis Question is the one which my hon. Friend asked last week, and it is the one which I answered last week.
§ Mr. StokesWould it not be a more accurate reply to say it would be extremely embarrassing to the Government if the truth were told about it?
§ Sir J. GriggNot in the least.
§ Mr. StokesIt would be, and the right hon. Gentleman knows it.
§ 72. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is with his knowledge and approval that personnel of R.E.M.E. are engaged on the overhaul of tanks of a type which have never fought, are now not intended to fight and are in 1068 process of being consigned to the scrap heap?
§ Sir J. GriggAll armoured vehicles undergoing overhaul in R.E.M.E. workshops are required by the Army either as fighting tanks or for special roles. It is not in the public interest to describe the special military purposes for which certain types of tanks are still required.
§ Mr. HammersleyIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is not a gross waste of man-power and material in overhauling tanks which soon are to be scrapped?
§ Sir J. GriggThat is repeating the Question in the same form, and I repeat my answer in the same form.
§ Sir Irving AlberyIn view of the considerable anxiety which appears to exist on this tank question in certain quarters of the House, is it not time we had at any rate some information disclosed, possibly in Secret Session, in order that the matter may be cleared up?
§ Sir J. GriggThe suggestion for a secret Debate is one that should be made to the Leader of the House. Personally, I have no reason to fear a secret Debate.