Britain’s Communists and Secret Work for Nation's Defence

Grey River Argus, 27 March 1948, Page 5

Britain’s Communists and Secret Work for Nation's Defence

(Rec. 9.5) LONDON, March 25 The House of Commons debated the Government’s intention to remove Communists and Fascists from responsible Government posts. Replying to the debate, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. C. Attlee, said: The Communists follow the pattern of blaming others for what they, intend to do themselves. Replying to a suggestion that the Communists of Britain should be guaranteed against any loss of income of they should be dismissed, Mr Attlee said: “I cannot accept this naive suggestion that we should guarantee everyone with a life pension for being a Communist! There will not be a general purge, and there will be no general witch hunt. The Government’s plan is only to exclude from secret work those who cannot be trusted. Defence secrets must be preserved so long as there is the possibility of war. The responsible Minister will consider whether there is a prima facie case for the transfer or the dismissal of any Communist. There will be an advisory body of three retired civil servants, before whom any dismissed person can state his case. 'There will be some dismissals, but not a great number.”