Security Oracle News Archive

Intelligence and Security Committee Annual Report 2005-2006

Fri, October 06, 2006

Source: Government News Network

The Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual Report 2005-2006 was laid before Parliament recently by the Prime Minister.

The Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual Report 2005-2006 was laid before Parliament recently by the Prime Minister.

Commenting on the Report, which was delivered to the Prime Minister on 20 June 2006, the Committee Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Paul Murphy, MP, said:

"The period since the Committee's appointment in July 2005 has been one of considerable pressure for the security and intelligence Agencies. The terrorist attacks in London on 7 July 2005 shocked the country and, as the anniversary approaches, our thoughts are with those affected by these terrible attacks.

"Since July the Agencies' resources have rightly been diverted to investigate the bombings, to review systems, and to learn lessons for the future. This has, of necessity, overshadowed much of the Agencies' other work but it is to their credit that they have continued work on a number of fronts in what have been difficult times.

"In May this year the Committee published our 'Report into the London Terrorist Attacks on 7 July 2005'. Allegations have since been made that material was withheld from the Committee during the course of its investigation, or that the Committee was misled by the Agencies. I wish to take this opportunity to say that we have investigated these claims and have satisfied ourselves that they are not true. Our Report stands as an accurate representation of the facts.

"The Annual Report does not revisit issues concerning the London bombings. This Report, which is the Committee's first since its appointment on 12 July 2005, focuses on our statutory role to examine the administration, policy and expenditure of the three Agencies - the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). The Committee also examines matters relating to the wider intelligence community. We have taken evidence from the Foreign, Home and Defence Secretaries, as well as the Cabinet Secretary, the Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator, the Heads of the Agencies, the Chief of Defence Intelligence and other senior officials.

"There has been significant additional funding made available to the Agencies since 9/11 and we accept that this has been essential for building capacity across the intelligence community to counter threats from international terrorism and to provide an enhanced standard of coverage and assurance. It is vital, however, that mechanisms are in place to ensure that the money is well spent, appropriately controlled and monitored, and serves as a driver for increased efficiency.

"In all three Agencies, and in the wider intelligence community, there have been real improvements in terms of governance arrangements, organisational structures, financial management and professional skills for staff. These changes have been broadly commended by the Committee. Progress has also been made this year on implementing the recommendations of the Butler Review, and the Committee welcomes in particular the provision of mechanisms for staff within the Defence Intelligence Staff and the Assessments Staff to voice concerns and express dissenting views.

"Other positive steps include the safeguarding of the BBC monitoring operation; the work the Agencies have done with European partners; and the Security Services's regionalisation programme and closer partnership with the police.

"The Committee does, however, note its concerns as to whether the ability of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) Chairman to act as an independent arbiter of intelligence analysis has been compromised as a result of the merger of the post with that of the Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator; and whether the importance the JIC place on achieving a consensus could mean that they are missing, or failing to give sufficient priority to, key points. The Report also notes the Committee's concerns at the further problems and slippages in delivering SCOPE, and at the disruption to work at GCHQ due to the dispute between management and the staff union there.

"We still await sight of the review of the threat level system (as mentioned in the Government's response to our July bombings report), the study into the impact of new technology on interception, and the proposals to amend the Official Secrets Act 1989. We hope to examine these issues next year."

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