HC Deb 03 November 1947 vol 443 cc170-1W
Sir W. Darling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the German Economics Office and Transport Office have declined United States Army surplus vehicles, when local offices in certain parts of occupied Germany desire to acquire these vehicles for essential agricultural purposes.

Mr. Mayhew

7,500 American vehicles originally received by this country under Lend-Lease arrangements were offered to the German authorities in August last. This offer was a first refused, but later the German authorities asked for 5,182 of these vehicles, which are now being made available to them. I understand that surplus vehicles belonging to the United States forces in Germany have also been offered to the German authorities. This offer has not been declined; it is now the subject of negotiations between the American and the German authorities.