HC Deb 08 February 1949 vol 461 cc193-4
47. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that Mr. Maurice Hackett, chief regional officer for London and South-Eastern Area, Central Office of Information, attended a meeting at the House of Commons on 29th November, 1948, whose object was the extension of the activities of the Labour League of Youth; and whether he has authorised such participation in party activities or what action he proposes to take.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

Yes, Sir, I am aware that Mr. Hackett was present at the gathering to which the hon. Member refers. He was invited as a former member of the League and its chairman from 1926 to 1929, and regarded the occasion merely as an opportunity to meet old friends. I am informed that he does not now engage in any party political activity.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In view of the earlier part of the Lord President's answer, is he aware that this meeting was described in advance in the organ of the Labour Party League of Youth as being one to rally support among old friends for the Labour Party's plan for a new and extended youth organisation; and in view of the desirability, if the C.O.I. is to continue at all, of its officers being free even of suspicion of party bias, will not the right hon. Gentleman indicate that such conduct is inconsistent with high office in the C.O.I.?

Mr. Morrison

I think the hon. Gentleman is making too much fuss about this matter. This was a social gathering. As far as I know, Mr. Hackett took no active part in any political proceedings. He was quite prominent in this League many years ago. It was not unnatural that he should go to meet old friends. I think that the hon. Member is making much too heavy weather about it. In any case, I did not originally appoint Mr. Hackett to the Ministry of Information. He was originally appointed to the Ministry of Information by Mr. Duff Cooper.

Mr. Stanley

What is the relevance of that last remark? Surely, even if he had been appointed by other people, the right hon. Gentleman, while he is in charge, remains responsible now for his conduct, and does the right hon. Gentleman seriously think that it was a good thing for this public official, who must depend upon the good will of all parties to make his work a success, to attend a meeting of this character?

Mr. Morrison

The relevance of my last remark is that it was made in order to protect us from accusations and to inform by hon. Friends of the possibility of accusations that the Government fill these positions for political reasons. That is why I said it, and it is very necessary to make this clear in view of the slanders being spread up and down the country. On the last point, I really think that the right hon. Gentleman is making very heavy weather about this. It was purely a social occasion. Mr. Hackett undertook no political activity and I really think that this is running it very hard.

Miss Bacon

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the meeting as described by the hon. Gentleman did not in fact take place and that this was a purely social function with old members of the Labour Party League of Youth?

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Will the right hon. Gentleman go so far as to declare that he still adheres to the policy that no civil servant should take part in party politics?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. He should take no active part in party politics. That applies to all civil servants of all political opinions.