HL Deb 10 November 1959 vol 219 cc461-3

2.37 p.m.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask Her Majesty's Government the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can state the present position of the Mixed Committee set up to consider applications for an extension of time for the disposal of certain assets of Herr Alfried Krupp von Bohlen and Halbach under the 1953 Deconcentration Agreement.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)

My Lords, the Committee has granted an extension of time up to January 31, 1960. It has under consideration an application for a further extension beyond that date.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, while I thank the noble Earl for his Answer, may I ask him whether he will kindly bear in mind a matter which was left in doubt on July 27, the last date on which this subject was raised in the House? That is, that it is desirable that both the deliberations and the Report of the Mixed Committee should be published, in order that the public may know precisely what have been the arguments used by Herr Krupp in applying for an extension of time.

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, as my noble friend Lord Lansdowne said on July 27, in answer to a Question, the question of any publication is a matter for the four Governments; but certainly I will give the noble Viscount the assurance for which he asks: that we will bear very much in mind what he has repeated about the importance of possibly having the Report made public.

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, may I ask whether the purpose of the Mixed Committee is restricted to discussing applications for extensions of time, and that it is not concerned with providing a means for the evasion of the principles of the Deconcentration Agreement?

THE EARL OF PERTH

The purpose of the Committee, my Lords, is to consider applications for extensions of time.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, when the noble Earl said that Her Majesty's Government would give careful consideration to the noble Viscount's suggestion, did that mean that they will direct our representative to vote against an extension of time?

THE EARL OF PERTH

I do not think that that is quite what we were discussing. What we were discussing was the publication of the Report, as to which I said we would give careful consideration. It was not anything to do with what might be our instructions in regard to extensions of time, or anything else.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, might I ask the noble Earl whether he is aware that, when the noble Marquess referred to the fact that it was a matter for the four Governments, I asked him whether the British Government could not put forward their own view on the matter?

THE EARL OF PERTH

May I answer that point in this way? The Committee is entirely responsible for its own activities. At the same time, when the Report is made it will then be for the British Government to decide what they should do.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Will they vote in favour of the publication of the Report when the Committee sits?

THE EARL OF PERTH

When the Report has been received, then will be the time for Her Majesty's Government to consider that; and, as I have said, they will bear very much in mind what the noble Viscount has said.