HC Deb 14 March 1950 vol 472 cc37-8W
46. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Prime Minister what steps he takes, before inviting any honourable Member to accept ministerial office, to ascertain, as in the case of other servants of the Crown, that they are reliable persons from a security point of view.

The Prime Minister

I cannot accept the implications in the hon. Member's Question. In any case, I would remind him that it is established constitutional practice that the Prime Minister of the day is solely responsible for recommending ministerial appointments to His Majesty, and it is not customary for him to answer Questions on these matters.

47. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Prime Minister if he will say what tests of reliability are used before taking a person into the employ of His Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to employment in the Civil Service. The same precautions are taken in the case of new entrants as in the case of existing staff to ensure that no person who is known to be a member of the Communist or Fascist Party, or to be associated with them in such a way as to raise legitimate doubts about his or here reliability, is employed in connection with work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State.

48. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now satisfied that no persons known to be sympathetic with the aims of Communism or known to have had connections with the British Communist, or with any foreign Communist Party, are now employed in positions where they could come into possession of information the conveyance of which to a foreign Power might prejudice the security of the State.

The Prime Minister

The Government's policy is, as indicated in my statement of 15th March, 1948, to ensure that no one who is known to be a member of the Communist or Fascist Party, or to be associated with them in such a way as to raise legitimate doubts about his or her reliability, is employed in connection with work in the Civil Service the nature of which is vital to the security of the State. Similar precautions are taken in the armed forces. I am satisfied that all necessary action is being taken.