HC Deb 13 June 1951 vol 488 cc2298-9
47. Mr. J. Langford-Holt

asked the Prime Minister what inquiries are made in the countries of origin of scientists before they are employed on official research of a secret nature.

The Prime Minister

Inquiries into an alien scientist's background and associations are made in his country of origin whenever it is practicable to do so.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, especially since the case of Professor Pontecorvo, there has been growing disquiet in the country and a feeling that wholly insufficient inquiries are made? The right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations said screening had been tightened up since that case. Could the Prime Minister now say what that tightening up consists of?

The Prime Minister

Obviously I cannot give details of that. Inquiries are made wherever possible in the country of origin but at times, especially during the war, it was quite impossible to make inquiries, and such alien scientists as there are were mostly taken on when they were refugees from oppression in other countries, when those inquiries could not be made.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that if an Italian professor with that amount of knowledge was going to stay with relations in Northern Italy even the veriest amateur would have made some inquiries?

Mr. Churchill

Is it not a fact—and I do not think the Prime Minister will disagree with this—that the line in the deadly cleavage is not now drawn by nationality but by the line between the Communist and the non-Communist world?

The Prime Minister

I think the right hon. Gentleman is quite right in that.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Do we understand from the Prime Minister's reply that, following the new cleavage which my right hon. Friend has mentioned, no fresh inquiries have been made either about Professor Pontecorvo or other scientists of that sort?

The Prime Minister

Perhaps if the hon. Gentleman wants to ask a question about a specific point he will put it down.