§ 48. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister whether he will ask the President of the United States of America at Bermuda if the United States Government are now prepared to accept the new British rifle as the semi-automatic rifle which should be adopted as the standard rifle by both the British and American Armies.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Discussions about the best type of round and rifle are still going on with other N.A.T.O. nations. For the present, it is better for these talks to continue through technical channels.
§ Mr. WyattCan the Prime Minister say when the tests now going on at Fort Benning, in the United States, between our rifle, the Belgian rifle and the new American T.44 will be completed? Is it not time that we reached a conclusion in this matter, as we have the best rifle in the world and our troops are not allowed to use it because the Prime Minister has not got the guts to go through with it?
§ Mr. StracheyWill the Prime Minister agree that it is really time that British infantry were equipped with this rifle? We cannot wait about any longer for American decisions in this matter. What does he think is the great disadvantage of having our own rifle and supplying it to our own troops?
§ The Prime MinisterThat, no doubt, would seem a very proud and stimulating doctrine, but, as a matter of fact, when a large number of allies are working together it is a very great convenience if they can make a change to a new rifle in such a way that all benefit from it and all are able to contribute their sources of production in order to achieve the re-equipment as quickly as possible.