HC Deb 11 December 1945 vol 417 cc214-6
49. Mr. Pritt

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reason the Military Government in Hamburg is employing Lieut.-Colonel Herbst, a former Nazi Party member since May, 1933, to take charge of docks and water police in Hamburg; and if, as this individual falls within the category of C1 compulsory arrest or C1 compulsory investigation, he will give directions for his immediate replacement from among the available anti-Nazi Germans.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)

Herbst is not employed with Military Government, Hamburg. He was dismissed on the 18th October, 1945, because he was within the compulsory removal category.

50. Mr. Pritt

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reason the Military Government in Hamburg is employing one, Emil Kroger, formerly a Nazi Party member since May, 1933, a member of the S.S. and an official of the Berlin police up to the collapse of Ger many, to take charge of organisation and reconstruction in Hamburg; and if, as this man falls within the category of CI compulsory arrest or C1 compulsory investigation, he will give directions for his immediate replacement from among the available anti-Nazi Germans.

Mr. J. Hynd

Kröger is not employed with Military Government, Hamburg. He was dismissed on the 12th November, because he fell within the compulsory removal category. There is evidence that he was not a member of the S.S.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt) could be included in the compulsory category?

51. Mr. Pritt

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reason the Military Government in Hamburg is employing Major Westring, a former S.S. Obersturmbannf ührer, as a section leader on the Staff in Hamburg; and if, as this individual falls within the category of C1 compulsory arrest or C1 compulsory investigation, he will give directions for his immediate replacement from among the available anti-Nazi Germans.

Mr. J. Hynd

Westring is not employed with Military Government, Hamburg. He was dismissed on the 12th November as he was found to have been a member of the Nazi Party from May, 1937, and a member of the S.S. since 1940, with quick promotion between 1940 and 1943 and doubtful service in Austria and Russia. Before dismissal he was employed as a Section Police Officer in the Uniform Branch. He has since been arrested and has been prosecuted for wrongful completion of his Fragebogen. He was a Sturmbannfuehrer and not an Ober-turmbannfurhrer.

Mr. Pritt

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that persons of this character are being energetically chased out?

Mr. Hynd

I think that the answers I have given to the Questions put by the hon. and learned Gentleman are sufficient evidence. I can assure him that persons subject to compulsory arrest and compulsory removal are being speedily removed from the Services. In fact, all the higher appointments to the police made since the capitulation are again under review to ensure that none but anti-Nazis occupy these posts.

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