HC Deb 10 October 1946 vol 427 cc354-5
46. Sir Ralph Glyn

asked the Chancellor or the Duchy of Lancaster if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the economic changes in Germany resulting from the negotiations between the British and U.S. elements of the Allied Control Commission; and to what extent the French Government, not being bound by the Potsdam Agreement, propose to cooperate in so far as the French zone in Germany is concerned.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)

As a result of the negotiations referred to by the hon. Member, a joint Anglo-American Board has been established and has accepted certain basic policy principles. There is to be established as nearly as practicable a common standard of living in the British and American zones, with common ration scales. To achieve this, the resources of both zones will be used to their common advantage. There are to be common import and export policies, and imports into each zone will be limited to agreed items and quantities required in addition to indigenous resources, to provide the agreed standard of living. The execution of this agreed policy will be in the hands of representatives of German authorities in the two zones, subject to the direct supervision of British and American officials. So far the French representative in Germany has not been authorised to join in the new arrangement, although the British and American representatives have several times made it clear that we would welcome his participation and also that of the Russian representative.

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