§ 48. Mr. Douģlas Marshallasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many major shipyards in Germany were in production in April, 1945; and how many are working at the present moment.
§ Mr. J. HyndSeven major shipyards were in production in April, 1945, six are working at present; they are used exclusively for meeting essential allied requirements.
§ Mr. MarshallIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the retention of German shipbuilding power means the retention of German sea power? I trust he will keep this fact in mind.
§ Mr. HyndThat is already covered in the Potsdam Agreement, but it should be appreciated that if the vessels and other equipment that are to be allocated for reparation, if for nothing else, are to be put in the necessary order, it is necessary that we should retain the use of equipment at the shipbuilding yards and not destroy it before we have met the reparation allocations.