HC Deb 26 January 1954 vol 522 cc1583-4
5. Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works what disciplinary action has been or will be taken against Security Officer Smith arising from this officer's conduct of inquiries about employees at his Department's establishment at Risley, Lancashire.

Sir D. Eccles

Complaints about this officer have been fully examined. It is clear that in the course of his investigations he made certain errors. For these he has already been reprimanded.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this particular case was not an isolated one? Is he aware that another security officer—and this is why I asked the Question about disciplinary action in this case—who was investigating the conduct of a woman executive officer in the Civil Service made inquiries of her newsagent as to what papers she read and of her trades people to find out whether she owed them any money? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that, if his attention is drawn to information of this kind, he will take the strongest action against these security officers?

Sir D. Eccles

I shall be very glad to convey to my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council any information which the hon. Member will give to me.

6. Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Works how many security questionnaires have been completed by employees at the Risley establishment; what percentage of the total remain to be screened; and in how many cases further investigation or action has been found necessary.

Sir D. Eccles

The agreed security procedure is in operation at the Risley establishment as at other establishments of the Department of Atomic Energy. The hon. Member will appreciate that it is not in the public interest that details of this work should be disclosed.

Mr. Griffiths

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that a very large number of people working in these establishments strongly object to this procedure, and that their trade unions are very worried about the procedure? Unless he can convince the House of the usefulness of this procedure, why on earth should this invasion of private citizens' rights continue?

Sir D. Eccles

All these people know that they are working on very secret processes, and they must realise that it is the duty of the Government to take steps to keep that information secret.

Mr. Rankin

Is it due to the secrecy of this information that the Minister is not aware that atomic energy is now being used in the propulsion of submarines? Why, then, cannot it be applied to trawlers?

Sir D. Eccles

I said that I would look into that question. All these men are in touch with secret information which would be of benefit to those who wish to pry into our secrets.

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