§ 57 and 58. Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what has been the approximate cost to this country of the occupation of Germany since the end of hostilties; and what has been the approximate total value of reparations and any other benefits which have accrued to this country from Germany in the same period;
(2) what has been the approximate value of reparations which have accrued to this country since the end of hostilities; and what were the comparable figures in 1922.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe total cost to the United Kingdom of the occupation of Germany from the end of hostilities to 31st March, 1948, was approximately £537 million. The nominal value of the United Kingdom's reparation receipts in the period up to 31st July, 1948, was £30.4 million. I regret that it is not possible to give a comparable figure for reparations in 1922.
§ Mr. Elwyn JonesWill my right hon. and learned Friend see that the maximum publicity is given to those figures inside Germany?
§ Mr. LipsonIs it not a fact that the reparations which have accrued to this country after the second world war are very much less than those received after the first world war?
§ Sir S. CrippsIt is not possible to get any comparable figures because before, a great quantity was in the form of goods and not cash, and the account was kept in a completely different way.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteDo the figures which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has given include the air lift or not?
§ Sir S. CrippsThose figures are up to 31st March, 1948.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIf those are the figures resulting from our trying to occupy Germany, what would they be like if we tried to occupy Russia?
§ Mrs. MiddletonCan my right hon. and learned Friend say whether those figures include the cost of the trials of war criminals or is that a separate figure?
§ Sir S. CrippsI could not answer that question without notice.