HC Deb 03 March 1948 vol 448 cc369-70
16. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there are now any workshops in the Ruhr making armaments, or capable of making them.

Mr. Bevin

There are no workshops in the Ruhr making armaments of any kind. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is technically possible, of course, to manufacture certain types of armaments in ordinary engineering workshops, but it is one of the first purposes of the Occupation to prevent the manufacture of armaments by the Germans. All jigs and special tools for the manufacture of armaments have, therefore, been destroyed, and the destruction of machines specially designed for the manufacture of armaments is virtually complete also.

Mr. Reid

Does my right hon. Friend realise that his answer flatly contradicts the propaganda of Mr. Wallace in. America, whose propaganda resembles the tales of Baron Munchausen?

Mr. Bevin

I must impress upon hon. Members that I am not responsible for what people may say in any part of the world. Really, I have not time to read all they do say.