HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc459-60W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact of partial privatisation of the Defence Intelligence Service on security. [53804]

Mr. George Robertson

The statement of requirements issued to companies bidding to provide support services to the Defence Intelligence Service under Public/Private partnership arrangements stipulated in detail the security criteria to be met. These are no less stringent than those applying to staff and contractors already working in the organisation. Compliance with these requirements will be a contractual condition and will be carefully monitored.