HC Deb 15 March 1961 vol 636 cc1379-80
15. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purposes the Vickers machine gun is still retained in the Army.

Mr. Profumo

The Vickers machine gun is the standard medium machine gun of infantry battalions. It will remain in service until the issue of the general purpose machine gun, which will come into production in 1961–62.

Mr. Grimond

Is the Minister aware that when I was first embodied or mobilised, whatever it is called, in 1939, one of the first things that I was assured was that the Vickers machine gun was about to be replaced? Twenty years have passed and the Vickers machine gun is still about to be replaced. Would it not be as well if the Government made up their mind about this weapon? In particular, if they are publishing information about the weapons that are available to the Army, is it not better to talk about the weapons which are in existence and not those which, it is hoped, may come into existence 4, 5, 10 or 15 years hence?

Mr. Profumo

No, Sir. I have been fairly precise about when the Vickers machine gun will be replaced. If the hon. Member looks at the report of last week's debate, he will see that I was as clear as I could be. If the hon. Member was misled when he was embodied, I am sorry, but it may be because the Vickers machine gun has turned out to be one of the best weapons of its kind in the world.