HC Deb 06 May 1947 vol 437 cc185-6
4. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Minister of Labour whether displaced persons, including Poles now in the Polish Resettlement Corps, have to submit to political screening before being accepted for employment in British industry: by whom this screening is carried out; arid with what objects.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)

No, Sir.

Major Beamish

How can the Minister say, "No, Sir"?

Mr. Ness Edwards

"No, Sir," is the correct answer to the Question.

Major Guy Lloyd

Is the Minister aware that leading members of the miners' union have publicly boasted of the fact that every Pole coming from the Polish Resettlement Corps into the mines must not only be screened by the authorities, but must be screened by them as well and, if he has not been screened by them, he will not be accepted in spite of the wishes of the Government? Is that true?

Mr. Ness Edwards

The answer that I have given is the correct answer, no matter what may be said outside this House.

Major Lloyd

May I have a direct answer to my direct question? Is my statement true or not?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I am not called upon to answer allegations of that sort. The Question on the Order Paper is whether or not there is any political screening. The answer is "No."