BRITAIN BANS COMMUNISTS FROM WORK VITAL TO SECURITY

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1948, Page 5

BRITAIN BANS COMMUNISTS FROM WORK VITAL TO SECURITY

(Recd. 10 a.m.) LONDON, March 15. The Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, announced in the House of Commons today that the 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.” Mr Attlee said the Government had decided this was the only prudent course.” Anyone legitimately suspect would be subject to tne same rule as the Communists and so would Fascists. Mr Attlee said that many Communists and some fellow travellers had no loyalty to Britain. He told Mr Oliver Stanley 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 Mr Attlee told Mr P. Piratin (Communist) : ‘‘l am well aware that we must deal very carefully with the Communist Party. I haven’t forgotten their attitude in 1939 and 1940 and 1941.”

Mr Attlee added: “It is not suggested that all Communit Party adherents would forget their primary loyalty to the State.” Alternative employment on non-secret work would be found for some people. Others would be dismissed. Interrupted by Cheers 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? Mr Attlee replied that the general principle applies to all in the State’s service where secrecy was involved. Mr Attlee, replying to further questions, emphasised that the combout would be extended to every Government or semi-Government department where secrets must be safeguarded. He added that as to the

8.8. C. that was the obvious responsibility of the 8.8. C. governors. Members of both sides of the House shouted angrily when the Communist member, Mr Gallacher, began to sing the “Red Flag” after Mr Attlee’s announcement. Communist Reaction Mr Harry Pollitt, secretary of the Communist Party, described Mr Attlee’s statement as an “insult to the memory of every anti-Fascist who fought against Fascism and a repudiation of the principles for which the war was fought.” Mr Pollitt added that Mr Attlee was attempting to split the civil service trade unions. The Government’s policy and its “unprincipled alliance with the United States, imperialism “were rapidly undermining Britain’s security. The Government’s proposals were political measures ,to win Tory and Wall Street approval.