§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to implement the Security Service Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Security Service Act will come into force on 18 December 1989. I have made an order, published today, to bring the Act into full effect on that date. The Act provides for the appointment of a commissioner and a tribunal. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has decided to appoint Lord Justice Stuart-Smith to be commissioner. The members of the tribunal will be Mr. Justice Simon Brown (president); Sheriff John McInnes (vice-president) and Sir Richard Gaskell. My right hon. Friend and I are grateful that the Commissioner and members of the tribunal have agreed to undertake these important new tasks. I welcome the implementation of this legislation which for the first time puts the security service on a statutory basis and which provides an avenue for the independent consideration of complaints against the service.