§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the recent report of the Office of Technology Assessment of the United States Congress on the scientific validity of polygraph testing, a copy of which has been sent to her, which concluded that the available research evidence did not establish the scientific validity of the polygraph test for personal security screening, she will now reconsider her decision to accept the Security Commission's recommendation to go ahead with the pilot scheme at Government communications headquarters and in the security service to test the feasibility of polygraph screening.
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§ The Prime MinisterNo. There has been conflicting evidence as to the value of polygraph examinations, but the Security Commission took this into account during its inquiry and strongly recommended that a pilot scheme should be undertaken. Further evidence either for or against the polygraph does not, in itself, invalidate the need for a pilot scheme to test the feasibility of polygraph screening in this country although such evidence, including that to which the hon. Member refers, will be taken into account.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the acceptance by proponents of the polygraph that taking the test must be an act of voluntary co-operation, she will ensure that any member of staff at Government communications headquarters picked to be a subject of a polygraph test shall be able to choose whether or not to take part in the polygraph test and that in order to emphasise the voluntary nature of co-operation all staff at Government communications headquarters are informed that no penalty will be applied to those who choose not to take the polygraph test.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Security Commission recommended that the selection of people required to undertake polygraph examination should be by some random process and it would clearly defeat the purpose of the pilot scheme if it were confined to volunteers. The Government accepted this recommendation and plans for implementation are being made. I hope that the question of penalties will not arise since, as the commission said, no loyal servant has anything to fear.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister (1) if she will ensure that the use of the polygraph will not be extended beyond Government communications headquarters and the security service;
(2) if she will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government that in the event of an unauthorised disclosure of information from any Government Department no civil servant will be subjected to a polygraph test.
§ The Prime MinisterThe pilot scheme will be carried out in the security service and at Government communications headquarters only. As recommended by the Security Commission, its purpose will be to test the feasibility of polygraph screening in the British intelligence and security agencies. The Government have no intention of using it in any other context.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister whether the Government have any plans to introduce legislation to control and limit the use of the polygraph.
§ The Prime MinisterNot at present.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister whether the officers who are to act as operators of the pilot polygraph scheme at Government communications headquarters and in the security service are qualified to graduate and/or postgraduate level in psychology, psychiatry and/or physiology.
§ The Prime MinisterNo.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government have purchased any polygraphs for use in the polygraph pilot scheme at Government communications headquarters; and where they were manufactured.
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§ The Prime MinisterAn order for polygraph equipment has been placed with a United States manufacturer.