asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was Sir Norman Smith's position in the Control Commission, Germany; how long he held it; what were the reasons for his resignation; and if he will give the names of his two predecessors, and the length of time they each held office.

Sir Norman Smith held the post of Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (Policy). He was in Berlin for about a month. He resigned because he thought that the duties assigned to the post did not justify its retention, and it has in fact been abolished. His predecessors were Brigadier H. W. H. Armytage, who held the post for about eight months, and Brigadier J. L. Von der Heyde, who was appointed on a temporary basis only, and who held it for two and a half months.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that these resignations, in rapid succession, show that there is something radically wrong in the Control Commission in Germany, and will he take strong measures to clean up the personnel of that Commission?

I have been concerned in the reorganisation of the Control Commission ever since I assumed responsibility last March, and I have a special Committee under Lord Pakenham and Treasury officials, etc., going into the question of the whole personnel, their functions and other duties in that area, but I must await their investigations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many officials have resigned from the Control Commission for Germany during the past six months.

The number of civilian resignations during the six months ending 30th September, 1947, was 1,598.

Is it not rather a distressing state of affairs that some of our best men in Germany are leaving because they are so dissatisfied and exasperated by the policy or lack of policy Which is imposed upon them? Is it not a fact that it is a most distressing state of affairs and that many more are going for the same reason?

I do not think it is due to lack of policy. When there is a state of flux, as there is in Germany, how can we have a complete fixed policy? It is impossible. What I am concerned about is to get to a position in Germany when I hope we shall have some idea of what the period of occupation is likely to be, and then, when we are in that position, to offer terms with some degree of security. Up to now, I have not been in that position.