§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the budget of the Defence Intelligence Staff is; how many persons are employed in this section; what the aims and objectives of the DIS are; and if he will make a statement. [73955]
§ Mr. IngramThe budget of the Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS) for the financial year 2002–2003 is as follows:
£ million Resource Control 173.85 Capital Control 12.754 There were 3,969 permanent staff employed by the DIS on 31 March 2002. This figure excludes contractors and reservists.
As part of the Ministry of Defence, the principal task of the DIS is to provide defence intelligence support from a wide range of sources, both secret and public, to the preparation and conduct of military operations, the formulation of defence policy and the Equipment Capability programmes. In addition, the DIS contributes from the defence intelligence perspective to the work of the Joint Intelligence Committee, other Government Departments, NATO and the EU Military Staff.
The DIS includes two agencies, the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (DGIA) which provides imagery intelligence and geographic support and the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) which provides intelligence and security training. Both agencies publish Annual Reports and Accounts which include Key Targets and details of performance against them in accordance with statutory requirements.
Further information about the Defence Intelligence Staff can be found on the MOD's website, www.mod.uk.