§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consideration he is giving to whether MI5 should take a lead role in work against drug trafficking or organised crime; [21735]
(2) what consideration he is giving to legislation to change the functions of MI5; and if he will make a statement. [21736]
191W
§ Mr. HowardThe functions of the Security Service are set out in section 1 of the Security Service Act 1989. The Government has no plans to amend that legislation. If, however, resources were available to the Security Service and if, within their statutory functions, a useful role were identified for them in support of the police and other law enforcement agencies in their work to counter serious crime, I would be ready to consider such proposals.