  Deformations of maximal supergravity theories induced by gauging non-abelian
subgroups of the duality group reveal the presence of charged M-theory degrees
of freedom that are not necessarily contained in supergravity. The relation
with M-theory degrees of freedom is confirmed by the representation assignments
under the duality group of the gauge charges and the ensuing vector and tensor
gauge fields. The underlying hierarchy of these gauge fields is required for
consistency of general gaugings. As an example gauged maximal supergravity in
three space-time dimensions is presented in a version where all possible tensor
fields appear.
