§ 59. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the conditions under which he is prepared to encourage foreign investment in German industry.
§ Mr. MayhewHis Majesty's Government hope that foreign investment may before long be possible in Germany, subject to the conditions that there should be no excessive concentration of foreign capital in German industry, and that Germany's pre-war creditors are not prejudiced.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs my hon. Friend aware that any revival of German heavy industry under private ownership, whatever the source of the new capital, will be potentially dangerous? Does he not agree that the only safe solution is public ownership of the heavy industry of Western Europe, including the Ruhr.
§ Mr. MayhewMy hon. Friend is aware of the controls we already have, upon which we are relying.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeWill my hon. Friend give an undertaking that in all these matters the workers concerned will be consulted in some degree before any steps are taken in regard to foreign investments in the development of German industry?