HC Deb 29 January 1968 vol 757 cc230-1W
Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress made in the research and development of small arms.

Mr. Mason

The Services at present use the L1A1 rifle and the General Purpose Machine Gun, both of Belgian defence but manufactured at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. These are up-to-date weapons, neither of them is yet due for replacement and the United Kingdom Research and Development on small arms is currently concentrated on the assessment of all foreign developments in small arms, on modifications to existing weapons, and on ammunition.