Coal, Iron and Steel (Hansard, 27 March 1950)

§ Mr. Ernest Davies

The policy of His Majesty's Government with respect to the ownership and reorganisation of the German coal, iron and steel industries was embodied in Military Government Law 75, promulgated in November, 1948, and valid for the British and American Zones of Occupation in Germany. This Law provided that the ownership of the coal, iron and steel industries should be determined by the German Government, that the main combines in these industries should be liquidated, and that their coal and steel properties, together with those of the other main companies operating in the same field, should be available for reorganisation according to plans submitted by German experts and approved by Military Governments.

It has been necessary to embark on a revision of Law 75 in order to extend its provisions to the whole of Western Germany and to take account of the formation of the Federal Government. The opportunity has been taken to discuss simultaneously proposals for other changes. Discussions are still proceeding in the High Commission and it is hoped that a revised Law will shortly emerge embodying the principles of Military Government Law 75.