HC Deb 11 April 1951 vol 486 c996
5. Mr. Albu

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions he has given to His Majesty's High Commissioner in Germany on the attitude he should take to the law at present being debated in the Federal Parliament on the participation of workers in the management of industry.

Mr. H. Morrison

The law has not yet been passed by both Houses of the German Federal Parliament. It received its second reading in the Lower House on 4th April. The law in its present draft form appears to be a domestic German matter which does not call for any intervention by the United Kingdom High Commissioner. In any event it would be premature to give any instructions to the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Germany as to the final attitude he should take towards the law before it has been passed.

Mr. Albu

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the High Commissioner uses his influence with the representatives of the other Occupying Powers to ensure that there is no frustration of this rather welcome development of democratic feeling among the German people?

Mr. Morrison

It is a very interesting development and I will certainly keep my hon. Friend's point in mind.

Mr. John Hynd

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that previously a veto has been exercised against such a law by certain of the other Occupying Powers in the West? Will he bear this in mind when the law is passed?

Mr. Morrison

I will look it up.

Back to