§ 19. Mr. Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the demolition of factories in Germany has deprived the youth of that country of the opportunities of learning many trades; and whether he will stop the demolition of factories other than those engaged in producing war potential.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. The demolition of factories in Germany has deprived German youth of the opportunities of learning no trades except warlike ones. We have demolished no factories other than Category I war plants, and not even all of these are being demolished.
§ Mr. WalkerCan my hon. Friend say whether or not the recent demolition of factories in Germany is robbing the youth of that country of the opportunity of learning trades which would ensure to them a livelihood in the future, and is not this policy of the demolition of factories doing a great deal of harm and making our occupation of that country a ghastly failure?
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. We have not demolished any factories, except Category 1 war plants, and not all of them, and, therefore, the only trades which could on that account be closed to German apprentices would be war trades.
§ Mr. John HyndIs the Minister aware that he has recently written informing me of a particular factory which has been dismantled and which he says is not a war plant?
§ Mr. MayhewThe Question is about demolition and there may be some confusion, but even if the Question were interpreted as dismantling, the answer would still be "No."