§ 26. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has recently received from German trade union leaders on the question of dismantling factories that could be used for peace-time production; and what has been his reply.
§ Mr. BevinThe President of the Trade Union Federation of the British zone has expressed his concern to me about the effects of the execution of the Allied dismantling programme upon employment and upon the development of the trade union movement in Germany. Similar representations have been made orally and in writing to me and to the British authorities in Germany in respect of dismantling at individual plants. The replies made to these representations have made it clear that the dismantling programme is the subject of international agreements which His Majesty's Government is in duty bound to carry out. We have, however, always been willing in consultation with our Allies to consider local adjustments of the programme designed to mitigate hardships without sacrificing the objectives to which it is directed.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Foreign Secretary agree that the time has come for the complete ending of this dismantling programme, and will he take the initiative in that direction?
§ Mr. BevinNo, I do not agree until I am satisfied that security is put right. I am not satisfied yet that the rest of the world is entirely safe.
§ Mr. WarbeyCan my right hon. Friend say whether the execution of his settled policy on dismantling is assisted by the unilateral utterances of high officials of our Allies?
§ Mr. BevinNo, it is not assisted. It is a joint agreement, and the kind of unilateral statement which the hon. Member has in mind is unsatisfactory.
§ Mr. Henry UsborneDoes my right hon. Friend mean that nowadays we can get security by the process of dismantling factories? Is not that idea a little ludicrous today?
§ Mr. BevinThere are some factories in the world whose dismantling would make a great contribution.
§ Mr. BellengerCan the House be assured that the security consideration is the only one in this dismantling issue?