§ 48. Sir W. Smithersasked the Prime Minister if, in view of Communist infiltration, he will introduce legislation to make all persons employed in national and local government take an oath of allegiance to the Queen, on the lines of the oath taken by Members of Parliament.
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of any sufficient reason for this change.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes not the Prime Minister think that action should be taken soon to stop this Communist menace, which is the root of all our troubles? Does he not realise that there is no difference in principle between Socialism and Communism?
§ Mr. H. HyndWill the Prime Minister undertake to see that before anyone is allowed to take a solemn oath of this kind he will be found to be in a fit state to do so? [Laughter.]
§ The Prime MinisterI have not got the point of this hilarity. I very much doubt whether it is the Communists in this country who are the root of all our troubles. They certainly have a large measure of assistance from fellow-travellers and others who give sympathetic aid to their views.