§ 32. Sir JOHN SIMONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is free passage at any and what points between the area occupied by the British Army of Occupation centred at Cologne and unoccupied Germany, without the interposed control and customs barrier set up in consequence of the recent advance of and supported by French troops in that region?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe French authorities have established customs posts at certain points outside the eastern perimeter of the British area and claim to exercise customs control of goods passing between that area and unoccupied Germany. With these exceptions there is free passage in and out of the British area.
§ Sir J. SIMONMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to explain a little more clearly what is the exception to the proposition that the area occupied by the British army is now surrounded by the French authorities?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe right hon. and learned Gentleman will perceive, I think, a very great difference. There is no occupying French army surrounding the eastern portion of our area and, as I understand, the civil administration is still in the hands of the ordinary German authorities. There are, it is quite true, a few selected posts—customs posts—put up by the French, but that does not alter the general status of the territory in which they are situated.
§ Sir R. HUTCHISONIs it not a fact that the French have now established a post at Bensberg, which separates two distinct parts of our area, and that for direct communication from one part of the area to the other it is necessary to pass through a French post?
§ Mr. McNEILLI am not aware of that, but if the hon. Gentleman will put down a question I will answer it.