§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Prime Minister if he will outline the functional and departmental composition and internal procedures of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the booklet on the central intelligence machinery published by HMSO on 1 October.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Prime Minister to which Ministers the Joint Intelligence Committee reports; and which Minister bears the ultimate responsibility for guiding its decisions.
§ The Prime MinisterI am ultimately responsible for the Joint Intelligence Committee. The committee is not a decision-making body. Its assessments are seen by other Ministers according to the subject matter.