HC Deb 07 May 1958 vol 587 cc1197-8
14. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War how many F.N. rifles have been issued to units engaged in troop trials in their use; how many of the 36,000 for which estimates have been presented will be manufactured and how many will be issued in the present financial year; and whether he will state the date by which the equipment of the Army with F.N. rifles will be completed.

20. Mr. Mellish

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the Number 4, Mark 1, Rifle has been replaced by the F.N. automatic as the standard infantry weapon of the British Army.

Mr. Amery

About 14,000 F.N. rifles were issued for troop trials. These trials have been completed satisfactorily and normal issues of the rifle have begun. All of the 36,000 for which estimates have been presented will be manufactured in the present financial year; and all will be issued. We expect to complete the equipment of the Army with the F.N. rifle by 1961.

Mr. Wigg

While congratulating the Government on making such rapid progress, which will leave the Army with a period of over four years to continue using the same personal weapons as it has had in two world wars, may I ask whether it is a fact that the equipment programme has been slowed down because the Government have found it necessary to save on weapons in order to bolster up the bankrupt and expensive manpower policy of the Minister of Defence?

Mr. Amery

I am glad to say that production has exceeded the figure on which we based the estimate, and we shall be able to take up any extra production there may be.

Mr. Mellish

But surely it is a fact that a very serious state of affairs is disclosed with regard to the adequate arming of our Forces when we consider the vast amount of money which the House has approved over the last few years? Is not it deplorable to learn that up to 1961 our men will be armed with the sort of rifles which were issued in the 1914–18 war?

Mr. Amery

It is wrong to say that the Army will be equipped with only these rifles up to 1961. This is a progressive introduction of new weapons; 36,000 or more will be in production in the course of this year.

Mr. Wigg

Is it a fact that there is no country behind the Iron Curtain whose infantry have not got the automatic rifle?

Mr. Amery

We have been equipping the Army with a whole new family of weapons of which this is one element.

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