BRITISH COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25445, 17 March 1948, Page 5

BRITISH COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS

No Employment On Work “Vital To Security” GOVERNMENT’S DECISION (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, March 15. The British Government had decided not to employ anyone known to be a member of the Communist Party in work “vital to the security of the State,” said Mr Attlee in the House of Commons to-day. The Prime Minister said that the Government had decided that this was “the only prudent course.” Anyone legitimately suspect would be subject to the same rule as the Communists, , and so would Fascists. He said that many Communists and some of their fellow-travellers had no loyalty to. Britain. He told Mr Oliver Stanley (Conservative) that he could not estimate how many people would be covered by “this extremely wise precaution,” but the Communists were in a small minority in the Civil Service and elsewhere.

Members cheered when Mt Attlee told Mr P. Piratin (Communist): “I am well aware that we must deal very carefully with the Communist Party. I have not forgotten their attitude in 1939 and 1940 and 1941.” He added: “It is not suggested that all Communist Party adherents would forget their primary loyalty to the State.” Alternative employment on nonsecret work would be found for some people and others would be dismissed. Cheers often interrupted Mr Attlee’s statement. Mr E. L. Fleming (Conservative) asked: “Would you consider extending this very useful purge to members of the services on secret work?” Mt Attlee replied: “The general principle applies to all in the State’s service where Secrecy is involved.” Replying to further questions, Mr Attlee emphasised that the comb-out would be extended to every Government and semi-Government depart-

ment where secrets must be safeguarded. He added that what was done in the British Broadcasting Corporation was obviously the responsibility of the 8.8. C. governors. Members on both sides Ct the House shouted angrily when the Communist member, Mr W. Gallacher, began to sing “The Red Flag” after Mr Attlee’s announcement. Mr Harry Pollitt, secretary of the Communist Party, described Mr Attlee’s statement, as “an insult to the memory of every antl-Fascist who fought against Fascism and a repudiation of the principles for which the War was fought.” Mr Pollitt added that Mr Attlee was attempii.ig to split the Civil Service and the trade unions. The Government’s policy and “the unprincipled alliance with United States imperialism” were rapidly undermining Britain’s security. The Government’s proposals were political measures to win Tory ind Wall Street approval.