7. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the disclosures made during the trial of Professor Fuchs he will now lay down special security regulations to cover secret documents, patents and inventions brought before the National Research Development Corporation; and whether he is still satisfied that the existing security arrangements are adequate in this instance.
Mr. H. WilsonI think it unnecessary for me to lay down any special security regulations to cover secret documents, patents and inventions brought before the National Research Development Corporation. In the unlikely event of such documents coming before the Corporation, the normal security arrangements of the Departments concerned will be applied.
Mr. Baker WhiteIs the Minister aware that the Soviet espionage trial in Canada showed that Soviet agents derived a considerable amount of useful information from non-secret documents coming before the Canadian Research Council, which they were able to dovetail into secret information? Is he also aware that some comment is being caused by the fact that one of the members of the Council is an ardent admirer of Sovietism, and has not hesitated to say so on many occasions?
Mr. WilsonWith regard to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, that fact was dealt with in a Question answered in this House some time ago. With regard to the first part, we have naturally considered all necessary security arrangements for the Corporation, and the responsibility must lie with the Departments who are concerned with laying documents before it.
§ Mr. Eric FletcherSeeing that disclosures similar to those made by Professor Fuchs are practically indistinguishable from treason, will my right hon. Friend consider the desirability of introducing fresh legislation on this subject?