asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, in view of the necessity of cleanliness for the prevention of contagious disease and the shortage of cleaning material in Germany, he has agreed to the dismantling of the factory of Henckel of Dusseldorf, the largest manufacturers of soap powder in Germany.

As the soap-making industry produces the glycerine needed in the manufacture of explosives, Germany had built up a capacity far in excess of her requirements of soap. Adequate capacity for soap-making is being left elsewhere in the Anglo-American zone, but production is at present limited by shortage of fuel and raw materials.

Is my hon. Friend convinced that Germany has sufficient cleansing materials for its needs?

No, Sir, it has not. It is not the production capacity which is short but fuel and raw materials.

Mr. E. P. Smith:

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we have had it on very high authority that cleanliness is no longer a prime necessity?

Is it not a great pity that this soap factory cannot be kept open for the sake of the Minister of Fuel and Power?