HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 cc732-3W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the responsibilities are of the Intelligence and Security Co-ordinator at the Cabinet Office. [74411]

Mr. Alexander

Sir David Omand KCB was appointed as Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator and Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office in June this year. This new post was created to enhance the capacity at the centre of Government to co-ordinate security, intelligence and consequence management matters and deal with risks and major emergencies should they arise.

Sir David has taken from the Cabinet Secretary the following responsibilities: Accounting Officer for the Single Intelligence Account (SIA) Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretaries' Committee on the Intelligence Services (PSIS) Chairmanship of the Official Committee on Security Oversight of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat and support for the Home Secretary in his role as Chairman of the Civil Contingencies Committee.

Sir David's appointment does not affect the statutory relationships between the Heads of the Intelligence Agencies and their Secretaries of State, nor the statutory sole responsibility of the Agency Heads for the direction of the operations of their Agencies and their right of access to the Prime Minister.