§ 21. Mrs. Ridealghasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is satisfied that Co-operative societies in the British zone of Germany are being given a just quota of supplementary non-rationed goods.
§ Mr. J. HyndYes, Sir.
§ Mrs. RidealghIs the Minister aware that societies in our zone of Germany complain that they are not getting these goods, and that members have to go outside the zone if they want to get them?
§ Mr. HyndI am not aware of that fact, but special attention is being given to the particular situation of the Co-operative movement in Germany, and I have no doubt that any representations of that kind will be met.
§ 22. Mrs. Ridealghasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the fact that supplies of paper are short for Co-operative propaganda and education in the British zone of Germany, he will grant permits to import supplies of paper that have been offered as gifts by other national Co-operative movements.
§ Mr. J. HyndGifts of this kind are already freely admitted into the British zone.
§ 23. Mrs. Ridealghasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what attempts are being made to cut through the legal tangles that hamper restitution of former Co-operative property sold by Nazis to private individuals.
§ Mr. J. HyndThe legal problems presented in connection with the restitution of these particular properties, many of which have changed hands since the original purchase, are very complex. Every effort is being made to settle them as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, some progress has been made on the basis of voluntary agreements with the purchasers. Four out of 12 purchasers in the British sector of Berlin have already voluntarily brought their businesses back into the local Co-operative society, and it is expected that there will shortly be additions to this number.
§ Mrs. RidealghWould the fact that some of the officials of the Trade and Economic Division are not paid by the Control Commission in Germany but by their previous firms, to whom they think they are still attached, have some bearing on the fact that they are not anxious to give help to Co-operative societies?
§ Mr. HyndI am not sure that I have heard the hon. Lady correctly. It is not the case that officials of the Trade and Economic Division of the Control Commission are paid by private firms. In any case, the difficulties are real ones, and these particular cases represent a very small proportion of the total Co-operative property in the British zone.