§ 30. Mr. Duncan Sandysasked the Secretary of State for War what action His Majesty's Government has taken to clarify the position of German civilians performing transport and other duties with British Divisions in Germany, with a view to ensuring that they will be available for active service in the event of hostilities in that theatre.
§ Mr. StracheyGerman civilians employed by the British Army in Germany have the right, as civilians, to withdraw their services after giving the appropriate period of notice. Measures to deal with the situation which would arise in the event of hostilities in Western Europe have been prepared, but it would not be in the public interest for me to give details.
§ Mr. SandysCan the right hon. Gentleman say definitely whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to try to secure the continued services of these German civilians in the event of hostilities; if so, whether the measures to which he refers have been drawn up in agreement with the German Government whose co-operation would obviously be necessary?
§ Mr. StracheyI should not like to go into this complicated and somewhat delicate question in answer to Questions, but certainly there is no suggestion of dismissing these men on the outbreak of hostilities.
§ Mr. SandysDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that, until this matter is clarified, the state of readiness of our divisions in Germany remains in doubt?
§ Mr. StracheyI discussed this matter on a recent visit to Germany with the headquarters authorities of British Rhine Army, and I was satisfied with the preparations they were making.
§ Brigadier SmythWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it must be very unsatisfactory for these Divisions, which are supposed to be in a high state of readiness, to be utterly dependent on German civilians? Could he not look into this question very urgently?
§ Mr. StracheyThe question has been looked into and very careful work is being done at the headquarters of British Rhine Army on it. But there are grave objections to, for example, the replacement of all this civilian labour by British Army labour. That would be a retrograde movement in the proportion between teeth and tail. Therefore, it is not a simple matter.
Brigadier ClarkeWill the Minister say how long it would take to put these plans into operation, because time is most important in Germany?
§ Mr. StracheyI cannot be drawn into that.