May 31, 1940 (19th Parliament, 1st Session)

LIB

Clarence Decatur Howe (Minister of Munitions and Supply; Minister of Transport)

Liberal

Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Munitions and Supply):

It never occurred to me that a Bren gun carrier and a tank were near relations. I suppose if anyone suggests that the Bren gun earner is a form of tank the opinion is in the eye of the beholder; but they are of very different construction. Several hundred Bren gun carriers are in the process of construction in Canada. It occurs to me that this may explain statements which I thought were preposterous in connection with the manufacture of tanks. Perhaps those speaking had in mind Bren gun or universal carriers, which are capable of being produced entirely in Canada, but the tank is a much more difficult matter. Instead of carrying Bren guns or ammunition it carries men and the machinery of war, and in my mind there is no relation between the two except that they may look alike.

Topic:   MUNITIONS AND SUPPLY
Subtopic:   MANUFACTURE AT HAMILTON OF TANKS OR BREN GUN CARRIERS
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