HC Deb 30 May 1951 vol 488 c191
7. Mr. Ian Winterbottom

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what powers are possessed by the Allied High Commission to prevent the export of goods of strategic value from Western Germany to China.

17. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to prevent the export of strategic raw materials from Western Germany to the Soviet zone.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

Under the terms of the Revised Occupation Statute the Allied High Commission has full powers to prevent the export of goods of strategic value from Western Germany to China. The export of strategic materials from Western Germany to the Soviet zone is controlled through the medium of a centralised licensing system and by customs examination at the interzonal border, the German agencies concerned operating under policy direction from the Allied High Commission.

Mr. Winterbottom

Have the High Commission power to control the export of materials from satellite countries through the port of Hamburg?

Mr. Morrison

That is a somewhat different question. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to put it down I will do my best to answer it.

Mr. Russell

Is it not a fact that a great deal of steel has been exported from Western Germany to the Soviet zone; and are any steps being taken to stop this?

Mr. Morrison

We are tightening up the machinery, which I hope will have good results.

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