§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Prime Minister what representations have been made to him proposing a different form of parliamentary Committee to monitor the security services instead of the present arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [13357]
The Prime Minster[holding answer 30 October 1997]: From time to time, there have been suggestions that the Intelligence and Security Committee should be replaced by a Select Committee of Parliament.
The current oversight arrangements were introduced in the Intelligence Services Act in 1994, as a means of achieving the necessary balance between openness and accountability and the need to maintain the secrecy necessary for the efficient operation of the intelligence and security services.