CHIFLEY PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON FADDEN

Grey River Argus, 6 October 1948, Page 5

CHIFLEY PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON FADDEN

Whence Came Secret Information?

(Rec. 11.40) CANBERRA, Oct. 5 Rt. Hon. J. B. Chifley in the Federal House of Representatives, referred to the disclosure in the House of Representatives last Week, by the Leader of the Country Party, Mr Fadden, of an alleged secret document of the British Cabinet, purporting to deal with discussions between him (Mr Chifley) and British Cabinet members on American reluctance to supply defence information to AusCxtma.

Mr Fadden’s action had forced the Government to direct the Security Service to supervise the activities of members of Parliament said the Prime Minister.

Mr Chifley added: “This matter is being thoroughly silted. Some interesting facts nave already been gleaned.” He had told Rt. Hon. Mr Attiee that he was convinced that there haa been no leakage oi secret information from Britisn sources, Mr Chifley said. He would not disclose the method of his investgiations, or tell how tar they nad oeen advanced.

A Cabinet meeting had preceded Mr Chifley's statement in the House. After the meeting of Cabinet Ministers said that the Erime Minister had indicated that he is considering invoking the Crimes Act in the matter. Ministers stated that Mr Chifley had informed the Cabinet that no such document as was quoted by Mr Fadden existed, and that anything contained therein, must have been prepared, from memory, by some person who was present at the British Cabinet meeting on July 7. The Crimes Act provides a penalty of seven years’ imprisonment for the unlawful communication of secret information.