§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the appointment of the new director of the Security Service.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 16 December 1991 that Mrs. Stella Rimington had been appointed as the new director general of the Security Service, in accordance with the provisions of the Security Service Act 1989.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what changes he intends to make in his policy for providing answers to questions from hon. Members on the Security Service;
(2) if he will make it his practice to give information in reply to parliamentary questions concerning the Security Service;
(3) if he will list changes made since 1987 in practice on providing answers to questions by hon. Members on the security services.
§ The Prime MinisterThe functions of the Security Service and other statutory provisions were debated in Parliament during the passage of the Security Service Act 1989. The Government intend to continue the practice adopted by successive Governments of not disclosing information relating to the operation of the Security Service.