§ Sir David MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister what is the expenditure of the security and intelligence agencies.
§ The Prime MinisterThe aggregate provision for the security and intelligence agencies in 1994–95 will be around £900 million, including about £100 million for the attributed costs of Ministry of Defence personnel who mainly assist GCHQ in its functions. The provision for the agencies is planned to reduce by over 4 per cent. in the following two years.
Precise figures for the 1994–95 aggregate budget will be given in the main estimate for the new single intelligence vote, to be presented to Parliament next March, after appropriate charging arrangements for departmental support for the agencies have been determined.
The provision for 1993–94 is carried in part by the Cabinet Office—£197 million on class XIX, vote 2 "Cabinet Office: Secret Service"—and in part by the Ministry of Defenc, roughly 80 per cent. of the balance, and the Foreign Office, 20 per cent., which at present carry the whole of the cost of GCHQ.