HL Deb 27 November 2001 vol 629 cc22-3WA
Baroness Billingham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangements have been made for ministerial oversight of the campaign against terrorism. [HL1644]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Prime Minister has 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, the Prime Minister has 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 Govenment'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".