HC Deb 09 October 1945 vol 414 cc63-4W
Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can make a statement about the employment in Germany of former members of the Nazi party in administrative posts and in industry; and why they have not been replaced by anti-Nazis.

Mr. Lawson

It has been the consistent policy of His Majesty's Government that as far as possible former members of the Nazi party should not be continued in official posts, and a directive to this effect was issued to the Commander-in-Chief when the Military Government was first set up in Germany. During the progress of military operations it was not always possible to devote the necessary time to an exhaustive examination of the past record of various German officials in administrative positions in areas overrun by our troops. A rigorous examination is now, however, proceeding with a view to carrying out the political principles laid down in the Potsdam agreement.