Special Branch (TV Series)

Stand and Deliver (1974)

Paul Eddington: Strand

Quotes 

• [When Gosling and Murray stole an anti-tank gun from the Army, considerable effort was made to recover it on account of its cutting-edge gun-sight. Now Strand reveals something that he has known all along] 

  Strand : There were serious doubts right from the beginning. The sight is unstable. The final field-tests proved that conclusively. Under battle conditions you'd do as much harm to your own side as to the enemy.

  Cmdr. Fletcher : Yes but surely there'll be more research, more work done on it?

  Strand : Development has been suspended. It's just not on. Course you appreciate this information is highly classified.

  Cmdr. Fletcher : Then why all the hullabaloo?

  Strand : To keep that a secret. We had to give the impression that we were deeply concerned. You see, Commander, to be effective, a deterrent doesn't actually have to work. Just so long as enough people *think* it does.