HC Deb 20 September 1948 vol 456 cc489-91
16. Mr. Benn Levy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he anticipates that a final and definitive plan for dismantling industry in Germany will have been agreed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement but will do so as soon as possible.

Mr. Levy

Is my hon. Friend aware that a Mr. Barrett of the British Clockmakers' Association has publicly boasted that he has had some responsibility for the threat of unemployment with which the clock-making industry in South Wurtemberg is now faced, and that this has added to the already considerable scepticism in Germany about the disinterestedness of the dismantling policy? Will he therefore reconsider the American proposal for a review, which could either prove or disprove these suspicions and thus have a most salutary effect inside Germany?

Mr. Mayhew

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement of my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Eden

Are we to understand that that statement wil be made on Wednesday? We would like to know what the position is before the House adjourns.

Mr. Mayhew

I will certainly ask my right hon. Friend if that can be done.

27. Mr. P. Thorneycroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the British Government by the United States Government, or by those responsible for administering the European Recovery Programme, to the effect that the dismantling of industrial plant in Western Germany should now cease; and what reply His Majesty's Government has given.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement but will do so as soon as possible.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Were such representations made to the British Government and has any reply whatever been made to those representations?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, Sir. The Government of the United States have made their views clear to us on this subject and discussions are in progress but there has been no change in our policy

35. Mr. P. Thorneycroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the value of the equipment dismantled during the past twelve months at Krupps Works at Essen; how much of this equipment has been sent to U.S.S.R. by way of reparations or otherwise; and whether such dismantling will continue in the future.

Mr. Mayhew

I am obtaining the answer to the first part of the Question and will write to the hon. Member. The answer to the second part is "None," and to the third part" Yes, Sir."