§ 24. Mr. Bramallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the proposal of the German Economic Administration in Minden, for the handing over of the management of the German coal industry to a publicly-controlled German control board, has been rejected.
§ Mr. MayhewProposals, put forward early last month by the German Executive Committee for Economics for the handing over of the management of the coal industry in the combined zone to a publicly-controlled German control board, are now under active consideration by the Anglo-American authorities.
§ Mr. BramallIs my hon. Friend aware that the Press were informed by an officer of the Control Commission that this plan had been turned down—that is the plan put forward by the German economic administration.
§ Mr. MayhewMy hon. Friend may be under a misapprehension. There was an earlier plan which was turned down on 5th June, I think, but this is a second plan which is now under consideration.
§ 25. Mr. Bramallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has modified his policy that the German coal industry should be handed over to public ownership; and whether any plans have now been drawn up for carrying out the transfer to public ownership.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. The question of plans for transfer is at present under consideration.
§ Mr. BramallDoes the answer, "No, Sir," apply to the first part of the Question?
§ Mr. MayhewIt applies to both parts of the Question.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteIn the meantime, are any Germans being invited over here to study the operations of our National Coal Board at Himley Hall and other centres of activity?
§ 30. Mr. Bramallasked the Secretary of, State for Foreign Affairs whether the British authorities have accepted the proposal of the U.S. authorities that the question of transfer of ownership of coalmines in the British zone of Germany should be left in abeyance for five years.
§ Mr. MayhewThe United States authorities have made a proposal to the effect that the ownership of the coal mining industry be vested in trustees for a period of five years. My right hon. Friend has also received representations from other interested Governments, all of which are under consideration.
§ Mr. BramallWill my hon. Friend draw the attention of his right hon. Friend to the fact that this House was specifically assured that our policy was to nationalise the coal industry, and that this House was repeatedly assured that the economic fusion of the British and American zones would not affect the political policy of nationalising heavy industries?
§ Mr. MayhewYes, Sir. We have not modified our policy of national ownership, but I will certainly draw that to the attention of my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. PickthornCan we be told on what Parliamentary consent is based the theory that the British Government can have a policy of nationalisation in Germany?
§ Mr. MayhewThis decision is primarily one for the German people. [Laughter.]
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeIs this the precedent which might be usefully applied to the land proposals?
§ Mr. MayhewCertainly—I do not see why there is such cause for amusement on the Benches opposite. The fact is that we have never burked this question. The question of land reform and questions of socialisation are primarily matters for decision by the German people.