HC Deb 14 February 1945 vol 408 cc221-2
50. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Supply whether there has been any change in the membership of the Tank Board since he last gave the names to the House.

Sir A. Duncan

Yes, Sir. The Chairman of the Tank Board is now Mr. C. D. Gibb, who is also executive head of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Division. Mr. Gibb has succeeded Commander Micklem who, as has already been announced, was released at the end of last year to return to Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs Limited. The Director-General of Artillery has been appointed to the Board and certain other changes have followed upon internal changes in the War Office and the Ministry of Supply. I am circulating particulars of the present membership in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Keeling

In future will my right hon. Friend make changes without being asked?

Sir Herbert Williams

Will my right hon. Friend tell us whether the strength of a Division is greater than the strength of the people who have served on the Tank Board?

Sir A. Duncan

I do not follow my hon. Friend's question.

Sir H. Williams

Are there not hundreds of people who have served on it since it originally started? How many chairmen have there been?

Sir A. Duncan

Certainly not hundreds.

Mr. A. Bevan

Is not the Tank Board as obsolescent as the tanks which have been designed by it?

Sir A. Duncan

No, Sir.

Following are the particulars:

Chairman of the Board.

Mr. C. D. Gibb, C.B.E., M.E., M.I.Mech.E., etc.(1) (Director - General, Armoured Fighting Vehicles Division, Ministry of Supply).

War Office Members.

Lieut.-General Sir Ronald M. Weeks, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., T. D. (Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff).

Major-General V. Evelegh, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E.(2) (Assistant Chief of the Imperial General Staff (W)).

Major-General R. Briggs, C.B., D.S.O. (Director, Royal Armoured Corps).

Major-General E. B. Rowcroft, C.B., C.B.E., M.I. Mech. E., M.I.E.E. (Director of Mechanical Engineering).

Ministry of Supply Members.

Sir Graham Cunningham (Controller-General of Munitions Production).

Major-General E. M. C. Clarke, C.B., C.B.E.(3) (Director-General of Artillery).

Major-General C. A. L. Dunphie, C.B.E., D.S.O.(4) (Deputy Director-General, Armoured Fighting Vehicles).

U.S.A. Liaison.

Colonel G. A. Green.

Footnotes:

  1. (1) Vice - Commander E. R. Micklem, C.B.E., R.N (Rtd.).
  2. (2) On appointment vice Major-General Evetts, C.B., C.B.E., M.C.
  3. (3) Additional appointment.
  4. (4) Lately Deputy Director Royal Armoured Corps, War Office: on appointment to his present position with the Ministry of Supply and assumption of Chairmanship of the Board by Mr. Gibb.

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