§ 25. Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the fact that the Government of Lower Saxony refused to make a declaration of the successful completion of de-Nazification in their region; that the declaration was made instead by the Regional Commissioner of the Military Government; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he is satisfied that the formal ending of de-Nazification in the British zone is justified.
Mr. McNeilYes, Sir. I am satisfied that the declaration in the British zone is justified and that, in the face of the refusal of the Government of Lower Saxony to make it, the Regional Commissioner had no alternative but to do so.
§ Mr. PiratinWhy was it not possible for the representative of the British Government himself to make the statement and not to leave it to the Regional Commissioner?
Mr. McNeilThe machinery is quite plain. Since the local authority felt unable to do the job, the Regional Commissioner had no option but to take this decision and make the announcement.