BRITISH DEFENCE SCIENTISTS UNDER SUSPICION

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1949, Page 5

BRITISH DEFENCE SCIENTISTS UNDER SUSPICION

LONDON, Feb. 17.

Four scientists of the Admiralty and Supply Ministry, who have been put on special leave, each received a stereotyped document, which stated that it had been reported to the Minister that they were believed to be members of the Communist Party or of a Fascist organisation, or associated with either in such a way as to raise legitimate doubts about their reliability. This was announced by Mr Stanley Mayne, general secretary of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants. The documents also informed the men they would at once be placed on special leave with pay and told them that they had 14 days in which to accept or deny the accuracy of the allegation. Although engaged at establishments where work of a secret nature is carried on, none had anything to do with atomic research.