§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister if he will give the names and Departments of the proposed Clerks to the Committee relating to the security services.
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§ The Prime MinisterAs stated by my right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Cabinet Office will provide the support staff for the committee on the intelligence and security services,Official Report, 22 February 1994, column 247.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what expenditure has been allocated and under which vote for 1994–95 for the committee on the security services;
(2) if the committee on security services will be able to travel abroad to take evidence.
§ The Prime MinisterThe expenditure for the intelligence services committee has been allocated under the Cabinet Office vote, class XIX. The annual cost of the committee is expected to be approximately £100,000. As my right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, explained—Official Report, 22 February 1994, column 247—this sum will be met from within existing provision. It includes provision for foreign travel where necessary for the committee to fulfil its functions.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister when he expects the committee on the security services(a) to meet and (b) to submit its first report to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterSubject to the provisions of the Act, the committee will determine its own procedure. The date of the first meeting will therefore be a matter for the chairman and the committee. The committee is required to make an annual report to me on the discharge of its functions.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister (1) when he expects to give evidence to the committee on the security services;
(2) what restrictions there are on the people from whom the committee on the security services will be able to hear evidence.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Member to the statements made by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office—my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg)—Official Report, Standing Committee E, 24 March 1994, columns 250–54; 29 March 1994, columns 259–60; and Official Report, 27 April 1994, columns 336–37. I have nothing further to add.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister if he will now name the hon. Members who are on the parliamentary committee relating to the security services.
§ The Prime MinisterI have been in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair), over the membership of the committee and expect to be able to make an announcement shortly.