HC Deb 27 June 1951 vol 489 cc1368-9
40. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what grades of the Foreign Service does the ruling that membership of or association with the Communist Party or other Communist-influenced or dominated organisations is a bar to employment on work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State apply; how many members of the Foreign Office have been removed from their positions for the above reasons; and whether he will give an assurance that the Prime Minister's statement of 15th March, 1948, has been and will be rigidly enforced.

Mr. H. Morrison

As regards the first part of the Question, the Prime Minister informed the House on 15th March, 1948, that no one who is known to be a member of the Communist Party or Fascist organisations, or to be associated with them in such a way as to raise legitimate doubts about his or her reliability, should be employed in connection with work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State. This ruling applies without any regard to grade throughout the Foreign Service.

As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to replies given to the hon. Member for Paddington, South (Mr. de Chair) on the 18th June and the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on the 25th June.

The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes."

Major Beamish

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in replying to a Question last week the Minister of State said about Mr. Burgess that he was not known to have had associations with Communist circles of a kind which throw doubt on his reliability."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th June, 1951; Vol. 489, c. 31.] May I ask the Foreign Secretary, in view of those precise words, which Communist circles, in the opinion of the Foreign Office. are respectable?

Mr. Morrison

I am sure, whatever my right hon. Friend the Minister of State said, the hon. and gallant Member may confidently take it that it would be right.

Mr. Edelman

In supporting the purpose of the Question, may I ask my right hon. Friend also to keep a look out for Fascist fellow travellers and those with Fascist associations?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir, I think it has been clear ever since the announcement by the Prime Minister that it is treated on the basis of equality, and I shall not forget them either.

Mr. Braine

Does not recent experience suggest that Communists most dangerous to the safety of the State are rarely those who are open members of the Communist Party, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the growing feeling in the country that no ex-Communist, nor anyone with Communist affiliations, should be employed in any position of trust?

Mr. Morrison

I am not without some general sympathy with the hon. Member's view, but it really is not wise to be so dogmatic and so rigid from the point of view that there is never any hope that any human being will ever see the error of his ways and reform.