§ 58. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Rennonlagen at Salzgitter-Watenstedt is now being dismantled, although this plant is not on the revised dismantling list.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesMy hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. The ore-processing plant in question has always been included in the list of equipment to be removed as reparation.
§ 59. Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, in view of the official ending of the dismantling programme in Western Germany, a large press at Dortmund Hoerder Huettenverein is still being dismantled.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesOn 11th September the German Federal Chancellor was informed that no further demilitarisation of buildings and installations in the British zone was considered necessary in the interests of security. It was intended to continue the outstanding programme of dismantling for reparations. The hydraulic press at Dortmund Hoerde came under this heading and this was made clear to Dr. Adenauer at the time.
§ Mr. MikardoIs my hon. Friend aware that this press, of whose type there are not many in the world, has many useful peaceful applications? Is it not stupid, in the present economic state of the world, to dismantle this extremely valuable tool?
§ Mr. DaviesCareful consideration was given to this at the time and it was included in the dismantling programme. It would have been wasteful to stop the process once the dismantling started.
§ Mr. Nigel BirchWhere has the press been set up?
§ Mr. DaviesIt has been brought to this country.
§ Mr. PagetCannot we leave it there? Is it not quite absurd to expect German co-operation while we are carrying on these dismantlings?
§ Mr. DaviesI think it would be absurd to leave part of the press in Germany, part on the sea and part in this country.
§ Mr. J. HyndWhen my hon. Friend says that the plant has been brought to this country, will he assure the House that a firm is prepared to accept the plant in this country? Is its destination actually fixed?
§ Mr. DaviesYes, Sir, arrangements have actually been made for its use in this country.
§ Mr. MikardoIs my hon. Friend aware that it is precisely such an arrangement that induces the Germans to believe that this has not been done in the interests of security, but only in the interest of increasing our competitive power against the Germans?