§ 55. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date the Military Government of the British Zone of Germany authorised the grant of a licence for repair work to oil-from-coal plants; what was the nature of the repair work authorised; whether the Military Government was aware at the time that the plant was to be dismantled; and if an estimate of the cost of such repairs was submitted and considered before this expenditure was authorised.
§ Mr. MayhewEleven such licences were issued at different times between 1945 and 1948 to six of the 10 synthetic oil plants in Western Germany. Eight licences were in respect of plants now to be dismantled. In the case of five of the plants the licences were for partial re-activation, and in the other case the licence was for maintenance work only. Military Government was always aware that these plants were liable to be dismantled and this was made clear to the Germans whenever licences were issued.
In one case only, that of the Krupp Treibstoffewerke, which plant belonged to a group of colleries, an estimate which amounted to RM. 3 million was submitted and approved.
§ Mr. HughesWill the hon. Gentleman explain in non-technical language why this expenditure was allowed to be incurred on plant which was scheduled for demolition?
§ Mr. MayhewThe expenditure was not sanctioned for the production of oil from coal; it was for partial re-activisation for other products, and the Germans knew all the time that these plants were scheduled for dismantling.