90. Miss Leeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far he still has the authority to ensure that no part 78W of the heavy industries of the Ruhr again falls into Nazi hands.
§ Mr. EdenThe Allied High Commission has power under the law for the deconcentration of German heavy industries to ensure the break up of excessive concentrations of economic power held by any of the former owners. Considerable progress has been made in the reorganisation of the German coal and steel industries accordingly on the new basis.
The hon. Lady's Question may have been prompted by Press reports that one of the seven former Nazis recently arrested was in the steel industry. I understand that the individual in question, Herr Heinz Siepen, is in fact part owner of a razor blade factory.