HC Deb 19 April 1948 vol 449 cc1442-3
73. Mr. Bechervaise

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Four Power Control Agreement of July, 1946, which guaranteed to Austria the free interchange of domestic products between the four zones, is in full operation, or what restrictions have been imposed.

Mr. McNeil

As far as the British, French and United States zones in Austria are concerned, the Control Agreement of 28th June, 1946, providing for the free interchange of domestic products between the zones of Austria, is in full operation. The Soviet authorities, however, at the end of last year, imposed a system of control whereby Soviet permits had to be produced before certain goods were allowed out of the Soviet zone. I understand that, in spite of protests in the Allied Commission, these restrictions continue to be operated by the Soviet authorities. The list of goods covered by this order included foodstuffs, fuel, building materials and certain metals.