HC Deb 04 March 1985 vol 74 cc428-30W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what security checks were made on the Clean Industrial Company prior to the award of the contract for the cleaning of his Department's buildings.

Mr. Lee

[pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1985, c. 629]: The Ministry of Defence satisfied itself that Cleandustrial Services Ltd. was a company to which contracts for cleaning Ministry of Defence headquarters buildings could appropriately be let.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether officers of the Clean Industrial Company have signed the Official Secrets Act.

Mr. Lee

[pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1985, c. 629]: Those officers requiring access to classified information have signed the Official Secrets Act.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what powers he has vested in Clean Industrial to monitor security and vet employees working in his Department's buildings;

(2) what procedures his Department uses for vetting cleaners for security purposes;

(3) if his Department has refused security clearance to any cleaners employed in his Department's buildings.

Mr. Lee

[pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1985, c. 629]: The Ministry of Defence is not involved in the recruitment or selection of staff engaged by defence contractors. However, my Department must satisfy itself that employees of cleaning firms are suitable persons to be employed in Ministry of Defence buildings. Occasionally some people are found to be unsuitable. It would be wrong for me to comment publicly on any individual cases. Any representations made to my ministerial colleagues or myself about any particular individual would be considered with the greatest care before any final decisions were taken.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations took place between Clean Industrial and his Department over (a) the security vetting and (b) the sacking of Mrs. Molly Balkinson.

Mr. Lee

[pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1985, c. 629]: I have today written to the hon. Gentleman about Mrs. Molly Balkinson.