§ 2.37 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether and to what extent British personnel employed in the control of civil 402 aviation in Germany have been or are to be replaced by German personnel, and whether His Majesty's Government appreciate the dangers involved in allowing German personnel to gain knowledge and experience through such employment]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT JOWITT)My Lords, the intention of His Majesty's Government is that rather more than half the British staff employed on civil airfields in the British Zone of Germany shall he replaced by Germans during the coming months. German personnel will be under the direct supervision of British staff and will be employed mainly on administrative duties. They will not be allowed to gain experience of flying or unrestricted knowledge of modern developments in aviation. His Majesty's Government are satisfied that this step is consistent with their security interests, and the Civil Aviation Board, acting in conjunction with the Military Security Board, will keep civil aviation activities in Germany under constant observation.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, my information is that Germans are to be employed for such purposes as runway control, briefing, security and other purposes. In view of the answer that I have received, for which I thank the noble and learned Viscount on the Woolsack, may I take it for granted that His Majesty's Government are constantly aware of the extent to which civil aviation was used in the inter-war period as the thin end of the wedge? I would also beg leave to send the noble and learned Viscount a memorandum which shows that my fears are not ill-founded.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I will gladly receive and pass on to the appropriate quarter any memorandum which the noble Lord thinks fit to send to me. But I would point out that our financial position is such that we are bound to take care of the pence, and this proposal will mean an immediate saving of £36,000 a year, and an ultimate saving of £50,000 a year. I agree with the noble Lord that it would be foolish to make that saving if our security arrangements were in any way impaired. By these arrangements we shall not allow any impairment of our security.