§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that German goods, many of them from the Krupp factory, are being offered for sale to our troops and married families at the N.A.A.F.I. in Cyprus at prices at which they are obtainable in the home market; and whether Her Majesty's Government do not consider that home manufacturers should be given preference except where a definite disparity in price exists.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, I understand that a limited range of German goods is offered for sale by N.A.A.F.I. in Cyprus. It consists of such things as leather goods, musical boxes and cuckoo clocks. These meet a demand from the Forces for gifts and souvenirs at low prices. The quantity is small and the total value insignificant in comparison with the value of British merchandise sold by N.A.A.F.I. in Cyprus.
LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, may I say that the information which I have and the list with which I can supply him, bear no relation to the Answer he has given?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, if the noble Lord will supply me with his list, I shall be grateful; but I must point out that the Government do not interfere in the day-to-day business of N.A.A.F.I. They are admittedly responsible for the general economic and trading policy of N.A.A.F.I., but not for cuckoo clocks.
LORD WINDLESHAMMy Lords, as the noble Lord has now come up with a second answer, perhaps I may ask him this further question. Although it is a fact, as he says, that Her Majesty's Government do not interfere with the day-to-day running of the N.A.A.F.I., in order that the Services and their families should get the best value for their not very plentiful money would he consider putting out to tender by other firms and organisations premises occupied in camps, barracks, et cetera everywhere, in order 573 that competitive prices might be obtainable by the Services, instead of, as now, having to shop under a monopoly.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, that is another and rather alarming question.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I should like to ask the noble Lord this question. Is he aware of the strong feeling among British manufacturers that Herr Krupp, a convicted war criminal, who has hurled defiance at the 1953 Deconcentration Agreement and broken his word in relation to that Agreement, should be allowed into this picture at all in competition with British manufacturers?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am well aware of the feelings of the noble Viscount about Herr Krupp, but I am not as yet aware of the connection between Herr Krupp and the N.A.A.F.I.