HC Deb 17 March 1960 vol 619 cc1480-1
44. Mr. Cronin

asked the Prime Minister what use has been made by any Government Department, during the last twenty years, of the psychological technique of inducing in prisoners disintegration of personality followed by emotional attachment to an interrogator, the process commonly known as brain-washing, for the purpose of obtaining confessions from prisoners or influencing their future conduct.

46. Mrs. Castle

asked the Prime Minister to what extent techniques of brain-washing have been developed by the security organisations of Her Majesty's Government; and in what circumstances they have been employed.

The Prime Minister

The techniques to which these Questions refer have never been used by any organisation responsible to Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Cronin

Is the Prime Minister aware that his Answer will give widespread satisfaction, but is it not unfortunate that an earlier statement was not made completely dissociating ourselves from these abominable practices when the matter first received publicity?

The Prime Minister

I understood that a statement on the subject was made. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for war was questioned on the subject and made the position clear as far as he was concerned. At any rate, I am grateful to the hon. Member for putting down the Question so that I can make it clear on behalf of the Government of this country, of whatever party, and of the whole people, that we have not, never did and never would indulge in practices of this kind.

Mr. S. Silverman

While recognising that such an assurance will be accepted with great satisfaction, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that there are people in this country who will receive his statement with some surprise, having regard to their own experiences during the war? Does he not think it desirable to set up some proper commission or committee of inquiry to see whether the statement which he has made is in accordance with the facts?

The Prime Minister

I could not undertake to set up a committee of inquiry to find out whether what I have just said is true.

Mr. J. Hynd

Does the Prime Minister say that he repudiates everything that was said by the gentleman who raised this issue, that that gentleman had no authority to say these things, had no experience—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The Prime Minister cannot be asked to comment on the speech of some unofficial person.