THE AMERICAN-BRITISH PRODUCTION PROGRAMME 1942
 
     The production of weapons in the United States,
 
Britain and Canada is entirely inadequate.
 
     The deficits are so considerable that immediate steps
 
must be taken to increase the production programme in all
 
directions.
 
     There can be no delay, as the production of our
 
enemies may, before the year 1942 is over, leave us in a
 
difficult and dangerous situation.
 
     To take one instance. We are told that the Russian
 
tank production is in excess of 25,000 a year. Only a few days
 
ago, Stalin declared that it had now reached a peak since the
 
outbreak of war.
 
     Yet Stalin considers that his output is 16,000 below
 
his requirement. We have every right to suppose, therefore,
 
that enemy tank production must be in excess of the Russian
 
output.
 
          It is reported, with authority, that the Germans
 
have more than 100,000 guns of 40 mm and Over.
 
     Already we know only too well the immense naval
 
resources of the three chief powers confronting us.
 
     In the tables below, I make a brief and rough
 
examination of Britain's total requirements for the major
 
weapons, and of Russia's requirements for these weapons from
 
the United States and the British Empire.
 
     These requirements represent the quantities demanded
 
by the constituted authority in each country.
 
     We have no means of knowing the requirements of
 
the United States. It would be reasonable to suppose that
 
these exceed the requirements of Britain or Russia. Indeed,
 
the United States might be expected to require as many arms
                                                                                   
DECLASSIFIED               
By Autority of State