§ 9. Squadron Leader Burdenasked the Minister of Supply if he is satisfied with present security measures at Harwell.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussYes, Sir.
§ Squadron Leader BurdenIs not it a fact that a list in a telephone directory, giving the names and places of work of the people working at Harwell, is available to anyone? Would not the Minister agree that the first step to breaking down security is to know the names of those people and, in particular, to discover whether they have relatives living behind the Iron Curtain upon whom pressure can be brought to bear?
§ Mr. StraussI do not think there is any danger in someone discovering the names of people working at Harwell by looking at a list in one of the telephone booths at Harwell.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersWould the right hon. Gentleman consult with other Ministers to see if they are satisfied with the security measures at Broadcasting House?
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonMay I ask the Minister whether any steps are taken to keep a check on people abroad with whom these people may correspond?
§ Mr. StraussCertain checks are kept. Reasonable checks are kept on the people working at Harwell and other secret research stations. But it would be quite impossible, in view of the thousands of people who work there and elsewhere, to keep a check on people in other countries with whom they may communicate.