HC Deb 06 May 1965 vol 711 cc1557-8
Q3. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Prime Minister who are the three advisers who comprise the committee charged with the carrying out of positive vetting of the Civil Service.

The Prime Minister

There is no committee of three or any other number concerned with positive vetting of the Civil Service; an advisory committee of three, Sir David Milne, Sir James Crombie and Mr. G. A. Stevens, which has no responsibility for carrying out positive vetting of the Civil Service, operates on terms of reference which were announced in the House on 30th January, 1957.

Dame Irene Ward

Then can the right hon. Gentleman say who is responsible for positive vetting, particularly in view of the fact that there have been two recent cases of people who have been charged with espionage? Could he describe in detail whether he is satisfied that the positive vetting now in operation—who-ever does it—is a really satisfactory type of vetting, and has good results?

The Prime Minister

The responsibility in these matters in the present Government, as was the position in the previous Government, is in the hands of the Ministers concerned and, ultimately, of the Prime Minister. I would find it a little difficult to refer to the cases mentioned by the hon. Lady as they are sub judice, but since she asked me whether I am satisfied with the procedures followed in the past I may say that I am very much dissatisfied with them, but the House will understand that I cannot make a statement on the question until certain matters have been disposed of before the courts. I hope to make a statement to the House in the near future.

Mr. Stainton

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the precise rôle of the Paymaster-General in this particular matter?

The Prime Minister

I may even have something to say on that subject when I am free to make a statement on security. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will realise that this Government, on coming into office, decided to set on foot all the arrangements necessary so that we should never again have a situation of a Prime Minister saying that he had never been told about security matters that had been common knowledge for three months.