§ 62. Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Supply the type and name of British tanks, of which production is continued, mounting guns over 3-inch calibre, which are considered battleworthy?
§ The Minister of Supply (Sir Andrew Duncan)It is clearly not in the public interest to give any such information.
§ Mr. StokesDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it a disgraceful thing in the fifth year of the war there is still no adequate British tank of the kind described in the Question?
§ Sir A. DuncanI think that is a gross exaggeration in every respect.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonAre not the Germans aware that these tanks are battleworthy?
§ Mr. HammersleyWill the right hon. Gentleman lend the weight of his influence to the request that we should have a Debate in Secret Session, when all aspects of the matter could be considered?
§ 63. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Minister of Supply whether the new Director-General of Tank Design and Development is now in charge of tank production?
§ Sir A. DuncanNo, Sir. But future arrangements are under consideration in view of the impending return to his firm of the present Director-General of Tank Production.
§ Mr. HammersleyIn view of the fact that the former Director-General of Research and Development has been sent to America and that my right hon. Friend has just informed us that the Director-General of Production has resigned, what are we to understand—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member is making a speech and not asking a question.
§ Mr. HammersleyThe question I am putting is, What has happened in the organisation that these two important people have left?
§ Sir A. DuncanThese two important people have not left on any ground of disagreement of any kind or description. The Director-General of Tank Production was loaned to us by his firm over a year ago, with a warning that there must be a time limit because of changes taking place in his firm, and it is with great public spirit that they have allowed us to keep his services as long as they have.
§ Mr. StokesWho is the Director-General of Tank Production?
§ Sir A. DuncanMr. A. Boyd.
§ Commander AgnewDid I understand my right hon. Friend to say that the Crown was warned? Has not the Crown power of life and death?
§ Sir A. DuncanCertainly the Crown has power of life and death. There is, however, no doubt that, unless for the purposes of our own production we regarded this as a reasonable thing, we should not allow it to happen.
§ Mr. HammersleyIs it not desirable, in view of the fact that these two people have left the organisation now, that we should have an opportunity of discussing the matter in Secret Session?
§ Sir A. DuncanNeither has yet left the organisation.
§ Mr. StokesIs it not a fact that Mr. Boyd is leaving out of complete disgust?
§ Sir A. DuncanCertainly not. There is not a vestige of truth in that suggestion.
§ 64. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Minister of Supply why, following a recent long distance comparative trial of British and American tanks, it is now found desirable to have a second trial?
§ Sir A. DuncanThese trials are not related to one another. Trials of tanks, including comparative performance tests, are constantly in progress as part of the normal development programme.
§ Mr. HammersleyIs it not a gross waste of public money that there should have been a trial of these vehicles, and now there is going to be another, costing scores of thousands?
§ Sir A. DuncanTrials play a very essential part in the production of these machines.