asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Deputy Military Governor in Germany asked for instructions from his Department before accepting the invitation of the U.S. Government to attend a conference in Washington on the output of the Ruhr; and what instructions were given to him.

His Majesty's Government have accepted in principle an invitation from the United States Government to a discussion of tcehnical questions concerning coal production in Germany. The invitation was addressed to His Majesty's Government, and not to the Deputy Military Governor. The discussions wil be carried out by officials. The exact agenda is under discussion.

Is my hon. Friend aware that before His Majesty's Government issued a statement about this conference, and when there was some doubt whether it would be held, a statement was issued from Berlin saying that General Robertson would attend?

I do not think that, "statement," is the right description. There was an inaccurate leak.

Can my hon. Friend say how an invitation to a discussion can be accepted "in principle"?

It is possible to agree to discuss, before agreeing to what exactly is to be discussed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the amount, by weight, of spare parts for agricultural machinery still remaining at the firm of P. D. Rasspe, Sohne, Solingen, see B.I.O.S. Final Report No. 829, Item No. 31, page 27; how many Bamford and Banslett mower fingers are still there; and what quantity of these spare parts could be used in British or U.S. agricultural machinery.

This firm had 800 tons of spare parts for agricultural machinery in stock on 22nd July. No Bamford and Banslett mower fingers are among them. About 240 tons of these spare parts are only suitable for old and obsolete machines, and have been in stock for 20 years; 35 tons of these might be suitable for use in British agricultural machinery, and about 130 tons in American made machinery.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what steps the Government are taking to get these spare parts here, bearing in mind that a year ago we were told that a large number of spare parts then in the factory were required in Germany? Cannot we have the remaining parts over here, instead of having to wait another year?

We have sent inspectors to examine these stocks, but Germany also has her needs, and these stocks may be even more useful there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether all authority for de-Nazification has now been handed over to the German authorities; whether their decisions can now be reversed by British authorities; and whether the German authorities now have the right to reverse earlier rulings made by the British authorities.

All authority for de-Nazification has not yet been handed over to the German authorities. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes," and to the third part, "No."

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that a statement was made, a long time ago. that when the Landtag elections had been held, all authority would be handed over to the Germans, and that such action was taken in Hamburg? Will he take steps to see that His Majesty's Government do not continue their responsibility for the faults of the de-Nazification board?

Yes, Sir, our policy is to hand over de-Nazification. At the Council of Foreign Ministers it was laid down that there should be uniformity of treatment in the various zones, and discussions are in progress to bring that about.

Is it not time that this witch-hunting all over Europe stopped?

Certainly. We want to get the whole problem of de-Nazification behind us.

Is it a fact that the chairmen of the de-Nazification courts are now all Germans?

That is so, but the findings of the tribunals are still subject to British confirmation.