HC Deb 29 July 1946 vol 426 cc499-500
27. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he has made to the French, Soviet, U.S. and other interested Governments for their joint participation with His Majesty's Government in the ownership and control of the coal, iron and steel industries of the Ruhr.

Mr. Noel-Baker

His Majesty's Government have made no definite proposals concerning the international ownership and control of the industries of the Ruhr. There have, however, been some informal discussions between officials of His Majesty's Government and other Governments, but His Majesty's Government do not desire to take part in more definite negotiations if they are restricted to the control of the Ruhr industries alone. They consider that that question should not be treated in isolation, but only as part of the general question of Germany's economic and political future and on a basis of strict reciprocity.