§ 33. Mr. Benceasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in equipping the British Army with the Chieftain tank.
§ 34. Mr. Ernest Perryasked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the prospective sales of the Chieftain tank to friendly countries.
§ Mr. Mason:Two regiments are already fully equipped with Chieftains and a third will be by March. Performance in service has proved excellent, the accuracy and penetration of its 120 mm. gun being particularly satisfactory. The Chieftain has been demonstrated to our N.A.T.O. allies and other friendly countries and evaluation studies are currently being carried out by several of them. Its predecessor, the Centurion, sold very well abroad and I have every hope of securing substantial overseas orders for the Chieftain.