§ Mr. McGovernasked the Minister of Works if he will state the total proceeds of the sale of furniture and effects at the former German Embassy; why the bust of Herr Hitler and swastika flags were allowed to be sold to British admirers of Hitler and Nazism and not destroyed, so as not to assist in perpetuating the Nazi philosophy.
§ Flight-Lieutenant Challenasked the Minister of Works why, and upon whose authority, was the decision taken to sell certain property belonging to the German Embassy, including a bust of Hitler and certain Nazi flags, as an alternative to heir destruction.
§ Mr. WilsonBy agreement with the foreign Office the Ministry of Works took over the German Embassy property on behalf of H.M. Government acting as one of the Four Powers participating in the control of Germany. It was agreed with the Trading with the Enemy Department hat property not required for British 2059W Government use should be sold by public auction. The sale is still in progress, but during the first three days the proceeds amounted to £50,500.
The destination of the proceeds of the sale has not yet been finally settled, and the sale has accordingly been undertaken by H.M. Government as trustee for the Four Powers. In these circumstances, it was not, I feel, practicable to attempt to segregate for destruction those articles which might have had a sentimental appeal to certain individuals.