§ 47. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister whether the Rhineland High Commission has passed an ordinance transferring the control of all the Rhineland railways to a Franco-Belgian civil administration; and what action the British Government has taken in the matter?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, though, as the House has already been informed, the railways in the British zone will not come under this control. No action has been taken in the matter by His Majesty's Government, the British representative on the Rhineland Commission already having instructions to abstain from taking part in any measures or decisions arising out of the French and Belgian independent action.
§ Captain BENNDoes this Franco-Belgian administration of the railways 459 affect in any way the traffic over the parts of the railways which lie in the British zone?
§ Mr. McNEILLI should not like to say that it does not affect it in any way, but I do not think it affects it in any vital way. The administration goes on exactly as before. There may be a certain amount of interference.
§ Captain BENNIn what respect can the railways in the British zone be said to be exempt?
§ Mr. McNEILLBecause they are not under the management of the French and Belgian authorities, and they are being conducted by German personnel as before.