§ 47 and 48. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Prime Minister (1) whether he can state the date on which a Secret Service Department was begun by the Ministry of Munitions; whether the operations and methods of this Department were under the direct supervision of the Cabinet and had the sanction of the Cabinet; who was the head of the Secret Service Department; if it has now been closed; if so, when and for what reason; and (2) whether a man calling himself Alex Gordon was at any time employed by the Secret Service Department of the Ministry of Munitions; if so, whether the methods adopted by this man in his search for information were known to and sanctioned by the Government; whether reports affecting individuals furnished by secret agents and spies were sent to Major Labouchere and form special dossiers at the Ministry of Munitions; if so, whether such reports, in so far as they relate to British subjects, can now be published; and whether an assurance will be given that Alex Gordon will not in future be employed in any capacity by the Government?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYMy right hon. Friend-has asked me to reply to these questions. I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford, on the 12th June, the reasons for the attachment of a section of the Special Intelligence Department to the Ministry of Munitions shortly after its establishment. As I then indicated, the discontinuance of these arrangements was decided upon in February in the light of the increased knowledge in regard to the personnel in munitions works and the risk of sabotage, which had by that time become available. I cannot undertake, consistently with the public interest, to enter into the further details of those arrangements for which the hon. Member asks. But I may say that the arrangements were not specifically submitted to the Cabinet, and that there is no intention of reviving them, or, consequenly, of employing the individual named by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that this Department is definitely at an end, and it is not continued under another name?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYSo far as the Ministry of Munitions is concerned, this Department is definitely at an end.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas it been transferred to another Departments?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThat part of the work dealing with aliens has been transferred to the War Office, and the remainder of its activities are undertaken by Scotland Yard.
§ Mr. ANDERSONDo we also understand that the methods adopted by some of those employed by this Department did not receive the sanction of the Cabinet or were done without its knowledge?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIf my hon. Friend will tell me what methods he refers to I will give him an answer.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that espionage no longer takes place in regard to British working men?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI think the answers I have given are quite clear.
§ Mr. PRINGLEThey do not believe you.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must point, out to the hon. Member that that is not Parliamentary.
§ Mr. PRINGLEI did not question the accuracy of the statement. I merely said they—outside—did not believe it.