§ 57. Mrs. Castleasked the Prime Minister what changes he is now prepared to make in the appeal procedure for non-civil servants who are considered a security risk.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Conference of Privy Councillors recommended that certain rights of appeal should be given, and this recommendation has, as they suggested, been discussed with the National Joint Advisory Council. As a result, the employees of Government contractors engaged on secret Government contracts who as a result of a directive by a Minister are dismissed, or in his opinion are liable to suffer financial loss, will be given the same right as is enjoyed by persons in the public service of having their case considered by the Three Advisers.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the Prime Minister aware that the present appeal machinery for civil servants is unsatisfactory, and that civil servants have not the right to be represented, either legally or by a union, before the tribunal, nor are they given chapter and verse for the charges brought against them, as promised by Mr. Attlee, as he then was, in 1948? Will the Prime Minister have a look at the appeal machinery for both categories, with a view to meeting these three points?
§ The Prime MinisterI must say that I have not heard that particular complaint, though I have heard others. I will look into it.