§ 2.39 p.m.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is in existence an organisation known as the Allied Military Security Board, and, if so, what are its functions; and do those functions include decisions on matters relating to trade; and are the organisation's functions exercised by it independently or subject to any other authority.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I have been asked to reply to this Question on behalf of my noble friend Lord Reading who, as the noble Viscount knows, is still in Geneva. The Military Security Board, as an organ of the Allied High Commission, at present operates the controls on German industry in accordance with the Agreements on Industrial Controls concluded between the three Occupying Powers on April 3, 1951, July 25, 1952, and December 31, 1952. These Agreements have all been published as White Papers. The functions of the Board include decisions on matters relating to trade only in so far as the import or export of certain articles or products may be controlled in accordance with Allied High Commission legislation. The Board is answerable in the exercise of its functions to the Council of the Allied High Commission.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I beg to thank the noble Lord for his comprehensive Answer. May we take it from that Answer that the subject of trade which conies before this Military Security Board has reference only to Germany, and not outside Germany?
§ LORD MANCROFTThat, I understand, is the case.