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diplomats, _, Burgess, Lord Astor said it was “ remarkable” that the , People of Britain have been so slow in’ realising - the theory of Communism and _ its importance, , “We have got to recognise,” “he told the House, “that for the ~ ‘+ first time since the reign of Queen - izabeth the First, we have a Fifth mn-m this country—a Fifth Cplumn that has penetrated the highest ranks of the Civil Service, ' “We are neither at peace, nor at war, but in i HERE is a Communist Fifth Colu “e Britain, people dedicated to a tas “5 plo stendards of honour, no patriotism, Possibility of compromise, Viscount Ast yesterday in a grave warning given to the Lords. Opening a debate on Maclean’ and the nin with id no said missing * LORD ASTOR | @pparently the scientists, and even the Church. war, and we cannot judge measures it is by the normal standards of peace.” —_ Lord Astor urged the; strictest security measures. even if It meant preventing people leaving the country, He posed for the peers a pic- ture of what might happen if Britain went down under the Communists, He suggested § meeting of the Prime Minister with the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Harold Macmillan, in one of the corridors of the Lubianka Prison, Moscow. after a flerce interroga- lon. . SECURITY n ove it The Srime Minister would 3“ At least, my. oe nOthNE. to | ¢ Liber! nists,” adie Se. ari cold right take | The bitter joke brought ap- ‘pause from many of the 5 i Lord Astor drove 1e int by repeating that Britgin A es & cold me, and we mst our onal pract n that point of view.? le said: “No organisation or body of any men should gonsider itself ‘above security, We must be assured that Security has the fullest co-opera- i Hon from al! departments. The rvices must ‘have ity ample facilities in men, ney, and. ical means." OD? techni ++) Lord Astor made it clear that — he Dames the Gov: 4 ernment for. * the matter of the missing mats going on for so long. ! ‘4 pin earlier stages,” he said, “they seemed more concerned to! hide the truth than uncover {t with answers here and in the Commons giving the Wery mink mum of information. . WITCH HUNT . * ‘Unfortunate phrase : 1 “Inquiries, _ bot sand! BRU, POG. Jurmalstle t was unfortunate that the: Minister of State should have { described those ‘tr; diplo- ying to dis“ cover the truth agi @ "witch hunt» one ing 38 To try to uncover treason wos! ~j88 much a duty as to prevent a! ‘{burglary An honest attempt to clear these ematters up ee enld Never have been stigmal that phrase. ¥. If the Government had come‘ forward with honest apologies, said there been ® great mis- take and responsibility had been taken. it would have been far better than “that curious White Paper.” eS Ste 5 Strongly Lord Astor eritit le appointment of Macleap as lead of the American Deyart-; Seer Bi Pratl oe in ” jan