§ 19. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any reports from the Russian authorities indicating their opinion of the British tanks which have been supplied to them.
The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Griģģ)Reports have been received from the Soviet authorities on the performance of British tanks supplied to them. These reports confirm that British tanks have given excellent service in action against the enemy.
§ 20 and 21. Mr Hammersleyasked the Secretary of State of War (1) whether any requests have been made to Russia for the loan of Russian tanks and with what results;
(2) whether he has had any report giving details of the construction, armour or armament of Russian tanks; and whether he has any information generally on Russian tanks.
Sir J. GriģģIn accordance with existing policy on Exchanģe of information, we have asked for samples of current Soviet tanks. These samples have been received, and a full and detailed study has been made of their construction, armament and armour.
§ Mr. HammersleyCan the House take it that the responsible authorities are taking full advantage of the information which has been received, bearing in mind the fact that it is reported that some modern German tanks are incorporating features which originated in the Russian tanks?
Sir J. GriģģI do not know about these reports, but I should think that we would be even more half-witted than the hon. Member thinks if we failed to take advantage of any information of this sort that we got.