Britain Bans Employment In Work Vital To Security of State

Chronicle (Levin), 16 March 1948, Page 5

Britain Bans Employment In Work Vital To Security of State

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reut&r

' CcwjjrtgJit)

Received Tuesday, 10 a.iii. ' ' BONDON, March .15. The British Prime Minister, Mr, Attlee, aunounced in the Hotise of CommQiis today thnt the Government had decided : not to employ anyone, known to be a merhber of the Communist Partyan work "vital to the security of the State," . Mr. Attlee said the Goveynment had_ decided this was the "only prudent coufse." Anyone legitimately suspected would be subject to"the same rule as Coinmunists, and so would Fascists.' He said that many "Cominunists and some fellow trav'ell'efs had no loyalty to Britain, , . «

Mr, Attlee tald Mr. Oliver Stanley that he could nqt estimate how many people would be covered by "this extremely wise precaution," butMhe Communists were in the small minority in the civil service and elsewhere. Memhers cheered when Mr. Attlee told Mr. P. Piratin (Communist). "I am well- aware that we must deal very carefully with the Commumst Party. I haven't for-

gotten their attitude in 1939 and 1940 and, 1941." Mr. Attlee added: "It is not suggested that all Communist Party adherents" would forget their primary loyalty to the State." Alternative employment on non-secret Work whuld be found for some people,-" but others would be dishfissed.' : • ! A. , •' . . . - ;