§ 38. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct our dismantling authorities in Germany to refrain in future from dynamiting the foundations of works which, in the view of leaders of German trade unions, are suitable for being adapted for peaceful purposes and would lead to the reduction of unemployment.
§ Mr. BevinIt is not our policy to destroy buildings or foundations which are suitable for conversion to peaceful purposes.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Foreign Secretary agree with what has been done at Salzgitter, and does he not consider this place could have been used for peaceful purposes? Will he consult the Minister of Works before issuing any further instructions of this kind?
§ Mr. BevinI agree, on behalf of the Government, with the action at Salzgitter, but one has to bear in mind when Salzgitter was built, how it was built, the forced labour that was used from France and other countries, and how deeply it burns into the souls of other people in Europe to see that place facing them as a result of German action.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Foreign Secretary extend his indignation to the blowing up of the foundations of buildings?