§ 2. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons on the finance section of the Allied Control Commission for the Occupation of Germany speak German; and whether any of them have had residential experience in Germany prior to the outbreak of war.
§ Mr. EdenI would refer to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris) on 31st January by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State.
204 I may add, however, that although the official business of the British side of the control machinery will be conducted in English, a considerable proportion of the present staff of the finance section speak German, and have had residential experience in Germany before the war.
§ Mr. StokesIs it not possible to give us more precise figures? I am told that of the large number of people who are going, practically none speaks German.