HC Deb 21 November 1977 vol 939 c492W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints have been made about members of the National Association for Freedom employed at the Government Communications Centre, Cheltenham, attempting to recruit to the Association other members of staff employed at Government Communications Headquarters during working hours.

Mr. Judd

Earlier this year representatives of staff associations informally approached the official side of the Government Communications Headquarters about the question of membership of the National Association for Freedom by personnel of the Government Communications Headquarters. No formal complaint has been received by the Government Communications Headquarters.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes to take in view of the fact that personnel of R (Security) Division at Government Communications Headquarters, Cheltenham, are members of the National Association for Freedom; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Judd

The National Association for Freedom is not an organisation membership of which would bar members of the Civil Service from positive vetting clearance. The Government Communications Headquarters personnel are being reminded of the rules governing political activities by civil servants. If it were to be established that these rules had been broken further action would of course be taken.