HC Deb 22 May 1950 vol 475 c1653
75. Mr. Nigel Davies

asked the Minister of Supply how many individuals are employed on atomic research who are known at any time to have been members of the Communist Party or fellow-travellers.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Investigations are made into the reliability of all staff employed' on secret work for my Department, including atomic energy research. It would be against the public interest for me to go into more detail

Mr. Davies

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are known cases of Communists having torn up their party cards at the instruction of their party for technical reasons? Is it not a matter which gravely effects our national security, and will the Minister not reconsider the matter and assure this House that no so-called ex-Communists are employed on atomic research?

Mr. Strauss

I can assure the hon. Member that everyone who is working on secret work for the Government is examined to see whether his association, past or present, with the Communist Party is such as to bring his reliability into question.