§ 53. Major Bramallasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why a man who had been a member of the Nazi Party since 1933 was permitted to fill the appointment of Director-General of Railways in the British zone of Germany.
§ Ms. J. HyndI presume my hon. Friend is referring to Dr. Liebrand, who died in August. This man's record was investigated and his death forestalled his dismissal. I am having further inquiries made about his appointment, and will communicate with my hon. Friend later.
§ Major BramallIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I was not referring to Dr. Liebrand, but to Dr. Busch, who was appointed, in spite of the fact that he had been a member of the Nazi Party since 1933, to succeed Dr. Liebrand?
§ Mr. HyndI must apologise, but the terms of the Question suggested that the individual in question was Dr. Liebrand. Dr. Busch, his successor, had not been a member of the Nazi Party since 1933, so far as our records suggest. The only information we have about Dr. Busch is that he applied for membership of the Party in 1938, but was refused, presumably on the ground that he was a fervent Catholic. Dr. Busch has, incidentally, been approved by the four occupying Powers for a senior post in the German Central Transport Department if and when that is established, and the records of Dr. Busch are at present under examination.
§ Major BramallIf the hon. Gentleman is given Dr. Busch's Party number will he look into the matter further?
§ Mr. HyndWe have already the number in question, but it is not substantiated that that number does, in fact, represent his membership of the Nazi Party, which is the point into which we are inquiring at the moment.