HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc556-7
45. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the activities of the Committee of three which advises him on cases of suspected Fascism or Communism of civil servants; what is the present composition of the committee; how many cases have come before it; and with what results.

The Prime Minister (Mr.Attlee)

The three advisers, whose functions are to advise Ministers, are acting in accordance with the terms of reference announced to the House on 7th June, 1948, and at present consist of Sir Thomas Gardiner, Sir Frederick Leggett and Mr. J. W. Bowen. Seventeen cases have come before the three advisers so far. Ministers of the Departments concerned have decided to proceed no further in six of these cases. In the remaining 11 the persons concerned have been removed from secret work.

Sir W. Smithers

Why is this purge confined to the Civil Service, and, in view of the rising tide of Communism and its technique of infiltration, will the Prime Minister extend the purge to other organisations, including the B.B.C.; and when will he stop this pusillanimous policy?

The Prime Minister

I do not think anybody acquainted with the operation of purges would call this a purge, either in the extent of the numbers concerned or of the action taken. I am dealing merely with Government servants.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Does it emerge from the Prime Minister's reply that only 17 cases of alleged association with Communist or Fascist organisations have come to light in the whole of the public service, because the relation between that figure and what I know to be the case is very distant indeed; and is the Prime Minister satisfied that the steps taken are adequate to secure the protection of the public interest in this matter?

The Prime Minister

No, there have been other cases. There were six cases in which the persons concerned did not choose to appear before the advisers, and these cases were taken as proven. Two cases were withdrawn, and 10 cases are under consideration.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Can my right hon. Friend say how many civil servants have, in fact, been dismissed as a result of these inquiries?

The Prime Minister

So far as I am aware, no civil servant has been dismissed.

Mr. Edward Evans

How many of these were Fascists?

The Prime Minister

I could not say, without notice.

Mr. Osborne

Without wishing to turn this Committee into a witch hunt, will the Prime Minister bear in mind what has happened in America, and see that the Committee's duties are carried out properly?