Security and Intelligence Service

HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 c573W

Jacqui Smith

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the Staff Counsellor for the Security and Intelligence Services. [76586]

The Prime Minister

Sir Christopher France GCB has served as Staff Counsellor for the Security and Intelligence Services since April 1995. He will retire from this post on 31 March 1999 and I express the Government's gratitude to him for the way in which he has fulfilled the duties of this very sensitive post. Sir John Chilcot, GCB who was Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office until 1997, will succeed him as Staff Counsellor from 1 April 1999.