§ 43. Brigadier Prior-Palmerasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Vickers gun is still the standard medium machine gun for the British Army; and what steps are being taken to replace it with an equally reliable but more modern weapon.
§ Mr. StracheyThe Vickers medium machine gun is still the standard medium machine gun for the British Army. A new medium machine gun is under development.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerIn view of the paramount necessity for increase fire power, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that an early decision is arrived at in this matter?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir, but I would not like to denigrate the Vickers machine gun, which is a very valuable weapon. We have a new weapon under development.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerI possibly know as much about the Vickers machine gun as the right hon. Gentleman does, but is he not aware that there are no fewer than 16 stoppages in this gun, which prevents it from firing, and that it is a very out-of-date weapon?