HC Deb 27 November 2001 vol 375 cc810-1W
Mr. Pope

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for ministerial oversight of the campaign against terrorism. [18975]

The Prime Minister

I have established a Sub-Committee of the Defence and Overseas Policy Committee to oversee the Government's role in the international coalition against international terrorism.

Its membership and terms of reference are as follows:

Sub-Committee on International Terrorism

Composition:

  • Prime Minister
  • Deputy Prime Minister
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • President of the Council
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Secretary of State for International Development
  • Secretary of State for Defence

The Chief of the Defence Staff, the Attorney-General and the heads of the Intelligence Agencies also attend when required.

Terms of Reference To keep under review the Government's policy on international terrorism, in particular the political, military and humanitarian response to the attacks in the United States on 11 September and preventive security measures in the United Kingdom and overseas".

In addition, as part of this Sub-Committee, I have established a ministerial group, chaired by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to keep under review policy on protective security.

Its membership and terms of reference are as follows:

Ministerial Group on Protective and Preventive Security

Composition:

  • Secretary of State for the Home Department (in the Chair)
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
  • Secretary of State for Health
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • Chief Secretary to the Treasury
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Minister of State, Home Office
  • The President of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the heads of the Intelligence Agencies will attend as required.

Terms of Reference: To keep under review the Government's policy on preventive and precautionary security measures to counter the threat of terrorism in the United Kingdom and to British interests overseas; and to report to the Sub-Committee on International Terrorism as appropriate".