HC Deb 20 February 1945 vol 408 c604
12. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give the dimensions of the Royal Tiger tank, including the thickness of the front armour, the calibre of gun, weight of projectile and muzzle velocity; and whether he will give similar figures for the best tank used by our troops.

Sir J. Grigg

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 16th January. This tank is 24 feet 8 inches long, 12 feet 3 inches wide and 10 feet 1 inch high. The muzzle velocity of its gun is 3,300 feet per second. The slope of the frontal armour is 50°. It would not be in the public interest to give details of the best tank being used by our troops.

Mr. Stokes

Have we any tank in action which mounts a gun equal to, or better than, the German 88 mm. in the Royal Tiger?

Sir J. Grigg

That entirely begs the question. The question is whether in battle the advantage rests finally with us or with the Germans, and I should have thought that the answer was pretty evident.

Mr. Stokes

As the right hon. Gentleman will not answer my Question, will he consult the soldiers?

Sir J. Grigg

Oddly enough—in the hon. Member's opinion—I spend a very large part of my time in consulting soldiers on this matter, including Field Marshal Montgomery.