HC Deb 22 June 1949 vol 466 cc182-4
35. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much has been spent on rebuilding the works of the Benzin Company at Gelsenberg, now to be pulled down; and what was the total amount for which a licence was issued by the Military Government.

Mr. Bevin

The German management of the firm alleges that 17 million Deutsche marks have been spent between September, 1948, and March, 1949. The licence which was issued by the German Land Government of North Rhine Westphalia on the authority of Military Government was not a licence for expenditure but for the re-activation on a temporary basis of that part of the plant which was necessary for the hydrogenation of 15 thousand tons of natural oil residues per annum.

Mr. Stokes

That being so, may I ask whether the people in the Military Government who approved this scheme were aware of the fact that they were going to insist on dismantling a few months later? That is what is so puzzling.

Mr. Bevin

The whole thing was arranged with the Germans on a temporary basis, and they quite understand.

Mr. J. Hynd

Will the Foreign Secretary explain in what way this is going to help the victims of the Nazis?

Mr. Bevin

My hon. Friend knows very well the full story of the dismantling programme. This country has tried to keep the programme to a minimum consistent with security, and the question of security is a very important thing for this country and others in the future. We do not want to make the mistake we made after the 1914–18 war.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

While I agree entirely with what my right hon. Friend has said, will he bear in mind that these plants may become of very great importance for peace-time purposes in view of the trend of world petroleum supplies, and in view of the wide range of chemical products of which they are the starting point?

Mr. Bevin

That is not the only sphere in which they can be used, namely, to contribute to total world supplies. They become a danger when they are held in a country in which security is not yet finally and definitely established.

Mr. Wilson Harris

When Germany is being totally demilitarised and not permitted to have any Air Force, can four synthetic factories have any effect on world security?

Mr. Bevin

We went right through the whole of that problem between the two wars, and so long as I am in office I am going to advise this House to take all the necessary precautions.