§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanism exists to ensure that the exchange of information undertaken between(a) MI6 and (b) GCHQ and sister organisations within friendly countries, and to which Ministers do not have access, is conducted in a manner consistent with the national interest. [65159]
§ Mr. StrawBoth SIS and GCHQ carry out their functions under the Intelligence Services Act (ISA) 1994. Section 2(2) and 4(2) of the ISA require that the Chief of the SIS and the Director of GCHQ put in place arrangements for ensuring that no information is obtained by SIS or GCHQ respectively and disclosed by them except in the interests of national security; for the purposes of the prevention and detection of serious crime; in the interests of economic well-being of the UK; or for the purpose of any criminal proceedings. The arrangements must also ensure that GCHQ and SIS do not take any action to further the interests of any United Kingdom political party. I am satisfied that the arrangements are in place to meet those requirements.