HC Deb 29 March 1945 vol 409 cc1541-4
The Secretary of State for Foreiģn Affairs (Mr. Eden)

I ask leave of the House to make a brief statement about the advertisement issued recently by the Ministry of Labour appealing for technical and scientific staff to deal with future industrial activities in Germany, including armaments, heavy engineering, shipbuilding and aircraft. This advertisement was inserted by the Ministry of Labour at the instance of the Deputy-Commissioners of the British Element of the Control Commission for Germany and with the approval of my Department. I am fully aware of the competing demands for British technical and scientific personnel, and the staff required for the Control Commission will be recruited with due regard to the industrial needs of this country. But it is a class of personnel which is indispensable for the task of disarming Germany and rendering German war industries innocuous. These tasks must have as high a priority as any, and we have agreed with our Allies on the establishment of a Control Commission to carry them out. That, Sir, is the reason for the advertisement, and the high priority which is needed in the matter.

Mr. Buchanan

Could not this have been done in some other way than by a wholesale advertisement, with no limitations, appealing for people in large numbers? Are there not some associations for these technicians which, if they had been applied to, would have secured the people necessary in a much better and easier way than this wholesale, slap-dash method? When the Admiralty wanted some men, they applied through well-known associations of employers and workers and their requirements were met. Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this advertisement is almost an affront to people who are homeless?

Mr. Eden

It is because I had that in mind that I wanted to make this statement. Consultations did take place before the advertisement was issued. The qualifications are difficult ones and highly technical ones, and the range is wide, which made consultation difficult. I hope that as a result of what I have said it will be plain that the numbers are not going to be very large and we hope to get them without causing undue dislocation. It is a matter of hundreds and not of thousands.

Captain Duncan

Will my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that there is no suggestion at all that these men are being sent out to rebuild Germany?

Mr. Eden

In practically every case the problem is one of control of the German arms industry, which is the point that I wanted to bring out, and the reason why I wanted to make the statement.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that teachers have also been invited to apply for positions in Germany? Are steps being taken, where education authorities second teachers, to, maintain their pension rights?

Mr. Eden

That question should be put to the Minister of Education. That is another problem. We have a task to carry out. I was anxious that there should not be an exaggerated view of what we have to do.

Sir Percy Hurd

Have the lists been closed and, if so, what result has followed the invitation?

Mr. Eden

I have not heard of the lists being closed. They would not be closed until we had the men we need.

Mr. Butcher

Could not the widespread powers and elaborate machinery of the Ministry of Labour and National Service be examined to see if they can deal with the matter instead of utilising this method of widespread advertisement, which is forbidden to private firms?

Mr. Eden

The advertisement was through the Ministry of Labour.

Mr. J. J. Lawson

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his explanation, which was badly needed, may I ask whether he will keep a strong hand on this kind of thing? Is he aware that the Allied Commission representatives are just beginning to swarm into various countries and that they need watching in respect to these matters, particularly when they affect this country, as this matter does?

Mr. Eden

I agree. There are two broad principles that we have to follow. One is that the job must be thoroughly done, and the other is that in man-power it must not be extravagantly done.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Has consideration been given to recruiting these technicians from those of the Forces whose services may not be required after a short time, instead of calling upon private industry, which is already considerably denuded of essential staff?

Mr. Eden

That raises wider considerations which I should not like to be drawn into now.

Mr. Silverman

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, quite apart from the necessary work of the Control Commission with regard to the German armaments industry, it is nevertheless to the interest of Europe and the world that Germany shall in fact be rebuilt?

Mr. Eden

The fundamental problem that I am dealing with in this question is to ensure that Germany is not physically in a position to start this business again.

Mr. Molson

Since this advertisement was issued by the Ministry of Labour, why is the Foreign Secretary making this statement and not the Minister of Labour? Is it because a diplomatic answer was thought to be necessary?

Mr. Eden

I said that the Ministry of Labour did this with the authority of the Foreign Office, because I am the Minister responsible for the Control Commission.