§ 20. Mr. Pickthornasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many titles to ownership of land have to be surrendered in the British zone of Germany under the ordinance on land reform; what is the basis of compensation for the surrenders; on what authority these surrenders are demanded; and what effects on agricultural production are expected.
§ Mr. MayhewI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sudbury (Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton) on 23rd June. As the draft ordinance is still being considered by the Zonal Advisory Council, it is not yet possible to give details of the measures to be adopted, but everything possible will be done to ensure that these do not have an adverse effect on food production.
§ Mr. PickthornWhile we are waiting for details could we not be told what are the principles involved, what is the basis of compensation, and what is the authority? They are not detailed questions; they are matters of principle and authority.
§ Mr. MayhewOn the question of authority, I quite agree, it might be either a Military Government ordinance or legislation passed by the respective Land Governments. On the other questions, thought they are certainly not points of detail, they are being considered by the Zonal Advisory Council.
§ Mr. PickthornDo not His Majesty's Government see that the whole question is, where the Military Government gets its authority from to reshape the social structure of Europe?
§ Mr. MayhewIt gets its authority from powers vested in the Commander-in-Chief. That is a much wider question, which has often been discussed.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeTo what extent are these powers subject to Parliamentary control? Is it not right that Parliament should decide principles on the control of land?
§ Mr. MayhewNo decision in this matter has been taken yet. As I explained, a draft ordinance—which is a draft—is still before the Zonal Advisory Council.
§ Mr. PickthornWill it come before this House?