§ 39. Mr. Lewiss asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent action he has taken in connection with the agreement to dispose of the Krupp armament monoply; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyOn 25th April, the Federal Government communicated a memorandum to the British French and United States Embassies in Bonn describing the progress that had been made in completing the outstanding deconcentration measures, one of which covers the property of Herr Krupp. This is now being studied by the Three Governments.
§ Mr. LewisHas the attention of the Joint Under-Secretary of State been drawn to the Press reports that von Krupp said on 26th April that he did not intend to break up this monopoly and that he had the active support of the Adenauer Government? Can we take it that Her Majesty's Government stand absolutely and unreservedly behind the 843 statement made by the then Prime Minister, Mr. Attlee, in 1951, when he said:
There is no question of Krupps being allowed to resume ownership or control of the former Krupp industrial empire?"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th February, 1951 Vol. 484, c. 68.]Will Her Majesty's Government stand by that statement unreservedly and not in any way equivocate from it?
§ Mr. HarveyAs to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, many people say things which are reported in the Press and which are not entirely advisable. On the second part of the question, we have already given assurances in the House on our position.