asked the Prime Minister whether, when the removal of civil servants from office on alleged security grounds is proposed, he will instruct Departments, including M.I.5, that they should disclose the grounds for the proposed action, if not to the officer concerned, then to his association, and receive such representations from the association as it may think fit to make?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the procedure to be followed when charges on security grounds are made against civil servants was discussed on the National Whitley Council of the Civil Service, and that certain arrangements were made which the staff side regarded as acceptable. If these arrangements are not now regarded as satisfactory I suggest that the matter should be raised on the National Whitley Council.