§ 39. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the nature of the protest from Herr Brauer, the Senior Burgomaster of Hamburg, to the Regional Commission about the proposed demolition of the dry dock known as Elbe 17.
§ Mr. BevinHerr Brauer has made several representations to the British authorities in Germany about our plans for the demilitarisation of this dock. His protests are based mainly on the alleged danger to the nearby tunnel under the Elbe from earth tremors. He also maintains that the destruction of the dock five years after the end of the war is politically unwise and that the cost of the work will be excessive.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Foreign Secretary not aware that Herr Brauer is a well-known trade unionist and Socialist leader in Hamburg, and that he is expressing the point of view of many people that in carrying out this action the Foreign Secretary is only creating Communists in Germany?