BRITISH WEAPONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20837, 16 July 1942, Page 3

BRITISH WEAPONS

EQUALITY WITH AXIS QUALITY AND QUANTITY MINISTER’S ASSURANCE (British Official Wireless.) (Noon.) RUGBY, July 15. Replying to the House of Commons debate on production, the Minister of Supply, Sir Andrew Duncan, said that production no longer raised any serious doubts. Britain had established ■ quantity, of output and could now establish quality. The country had at last reached the point where it could rely that the weapons produced would place the forces on equality with the enemy and that the factories would keep pace with the Axis output. Sir Andrew said that Britain had suffered from the policy that had been forced Upon the country by the necessity to make hurried preparation against invasion, but the technical development of arms had been kept up and he assured the House that collaboration of the highest level was being maintained on the “most f6r-ward-looking lines.” Every conceivable step was being taken to ensure that full use would be made of the lessons learned. Reports were being received from experts in .the field and from serving soldiers, ahd the manufacturers were encouraged to keep in the closest touch with suggestions from the .field and the services in Britain. The Government was making arrangements for the manufacturers to send representatives abroad. In conclusion, the Minister declared that a stage had been reached where they could pay much more attention to future requirements and there was a strong organisation connecting the present production with future policy.