§ 2.55 p.m.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Further to Viscount Ullswater's answer of 14th February (HL Deb. col. 1458), whether it is not a matter of public policy that secret information of questionable accuracy should be given by the Economic League to potential employers without the knowledge of applicants for employment.
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, employers have a right to make inquiries about potential employees and others have a right to collect and supply information to employers.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that, while his reply is obviously the case, the organisation to which I refer has for a considerable time been misinforming employers? Is he further aware that a well-known solicitor was described as an anarchist when in fact he was a member of the Conservative Party? While recognising that those two descriptions are not entirely incompatible, is it not the case that the employer concerned was seriously misinformed?
Is the noble Viscount also aware that following representations by the Labour shadow chancellor, Mr. John Smith, the main banks have decided to discontinue using the service provided by the organisation? Would it not be a good idea for the Government, if they do no more, at least to express disapproval of what is going on? Even someone who acts as the local secretary to an anti-apartheid organisation can be described as a subversive.
§ Viscount UllswaterMy Lords, it is for those who distribute or receive information to do their best to ensure that it is accurate, wherever it comes from. If any information is inaccurate, as the noble Lord suggested was the case, that should be taken up with those who collect and supply the information.