HC Deb 21 June 1951 vol 489 c686
10. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far facilities have been given to the prisoners Klaus Fuchs and Alan Nunn May to carry on scientific research work for the benefit of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Ede

These prisoners have not been engaged on any form of scientific research for the purposes of His Majesty's Government; no approaches to that end have been made to them; and they have not been in contact with other scientists engaged in research on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Fernyhough

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that despite their special scientific knowledge the two prisoners will not be released earlier than other prisoners serving a similar sentence?

Mr. Ede

I am not aware of any grounds to justify my advising any interference with the due course of the sentences passed on these two men by the courts.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could not these inventors be set to scientific work to devise a fool-proof screen for the Foreign Office?