HC Deb 19 November 1947 vol 444 cc1115-6
3. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will exhibit in the tea room a copy of the notice posted in the British zone of Germany warning members of the Control Commission not to traffic in N.A.A.F.I. supplies; and if he will indicate the extent and amount of that trafficking to date.

Mr. Mayhew

With regard to the first part of the Question, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this notice. In reply to the second part, I need hardly say that no statistics are available. The evidence suggests, however, that our counter-measures are having a considerable effect.

Sir W. Smithers

Does not the Under-Secretary realise that the mere fact of having to issue this notice proves that many members of the Commission are not fit for their job, and that the Commission have lost the respect of the Germans? Will he take steps to clean up this Augean stable?

Mr. Mayhew

If the hon. Member has any concrete details to give me, I will look into them; otherwise, he should not make these general assertions.

Mr. Shepherd

Is the Under-Secretary aware that not many Members on this side of the House will share this wholesale condemnation.