HC Deb 18 October 1966 vol 734 cc35-6
Q4. Mr. Marten

asked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for positive vetting of Government staff employed at No. 10, Downing Street.

The Prime Minister

I am, Sir.

Mr. Marten

In that case, can the Prime Minister say whether Miss Wells, whom he mentioned last August——

Mr. Winnick

Witch-hunting.

Mr. Marten

There is no witch-hunting here at all. Can he say whether this girl—[Interruption.]—this is a serious question—was positively vetted and, if so, whether her clearance was formally noted on her papers, as recommended in the Standing Security Commission on the Bossard case?

The Prime Minister

There is another Question on the Order Paper about Miss Wells, in whom the hon. Member is so very much interested, I see. So far as she was concerned, the normal procedure was followed. It is not the practice of this House to give details of vetting in any individual case. The normal procedure was followed and, as I have told the hon. Member, we have greatly tightened up the vetting procedure in respect of those who are liable to come in contact with confidential information. We have tightened that in the last two years since the hon. Member's Government were in power.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

In view of the Prime Minister's statement that Conservatism is one of the great dangers to this country, can he tell us whether there is to be any positive vetting of Conservatives in No. 10, Downing Street, in the Foreign Office or in the Service Ministries?

The Prime Minister

I would say to my hon. Friend, as he will be aware, that civil servants, in any of the places he has mentioned or throughout the Civil Service, have no political views or, if they have private political views, do not exercise them in their official capacity.