§ Mr. Cohenasked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to her answer of 5 March, Official Report, column 775, she will define what she means by the term accountable to Parliament in this context; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is an important part of my and my right hon. and learned Friend's duty to satisfy ourselves that the security service operates entirely within the letter and spirit of its directive. We are accountable to Parliament for that responsibility as for the discharge of our other duties, but in line with the policy which successive Governments have followed, it is not the practice to disclose detailed information about security matters.