HC Deb 19 July 1954 vol 530 cc972-3
33. Mr. Snow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the so-called Gehlen staff organisation, with headquarters at Pullach, near Munich, which is under the supervision of Brigadier General Reinhardt Gehlen, in view of the fact that this organisation is an embryonic general staff and its existence is inimical to the armistice conditions.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

The hon. Gentleman is misinformed. This organisation is not an embryonic German general staff and it is not incompatible with the revised Occupation Statute.

Mr. Snow

Is it not a fact that this organisation lies within the American zone? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, whatever he may say, quite a few people believe that this organisation is the intelligence wing of an embryonic German general staff?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

So far as I know, the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is correct, but I refute what he has said in the second part.