HC Deb 30 July 1951 vol 491 c952
45. Mr. Bossom

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that civil servants who have access to confidential information have expressed agreement with or approval of the Communists; and if he will instruct all Departments to relieve such officials from their posts.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

as I informed the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 4th April, 1950, it is the Government's policy to ensure that no one known to be a member of the Communist Party, or to be associated with it in such a way as to raise legitimate doubts about his reliability, is employed in connection with work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State. If the hon. Member considers that the persons to whom he refers come within the scope of this policy perhaps he will send me particulars.

Mr. Fernyhough

does not my right hon. Friend think it rather mean to put down a Question like this, inasmuch as it implicates everybody without specifically mentioning anybody?