HC Deb 21 June 1948 vol 452 cc940-1
45. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a deputation representing the staff side of the Whitley Council for the Air Department has been officially informed that all work at Air Ministry Headquarters must be regarded as vital to the security of the State; that the Civil Service Clerical Association has been officially informed that it has been decided to extend this principle to all Air Ministry establishments; and why this extension of the purge of the Civil Service was not first notified to this House.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I am aware that my right hon. Friend has ruled that all employment in the Air Ministry Headquarters establishment must be regarded as employment in connection with work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State. My right hon. Friend informs me that the statement in the second part of the Question is inaccurate. The position of Air Ministry outstations is still under consideration. I cannot accept the view that the action taken by my right hon. Friend constitutes any extension of the policy announced to the House on 15th March.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Does my right hon. Friend say that, when he first announced to the House on 15th March the introduction of this instalment of the American way of life, the House was expected to understand that the lowest clerk or lift attendant in the Air Ministry, who has no possible contact with high grade secrets, might be exposed to victimisation?

Mr. Ronald Chamberlain

Does not the Prime Minister agree that we are on the slippery slope and that personal liberty is being menaced, for on 15th March he talked about employment where important secret matters have to be covered, but now, in his instructions to the Advisory Committee, he talks about employment in connection with work vital to the security of the State, which is very much wider?

The Prime Minister

I do not agree that there is any slippery slope in this matter. This is a matter in which every Minister must judge whether or not a certain person should be employed in a particular position. The general line which is laid down is the security of the State. That is a question for Ministers to judge, and I do not regard it as the slippery slope for democracy to defend itself against insidious attempts to overturn it.

Mr. J. Langford-Holt

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how top secret documents reach the top floor of the Air Ministry; do they go by lift or do they walk up?

Mr. W. Griffiths

Can the Prime Minister confirm or deny the reports in some of this morning's newspapers that the witch hunt is to be extended to local government service and to the Armed Forces?