| Synopsis: |
"Intelligence and Security Committee - Annual Report 2006-2007 (Cm. 7299)" examines the policy, administration, and expenditure of the three intelligence and security agencies, the work of the wider intelligence community, and the ban on the use of intercept as evidence in court. The Committee also conducted a detailed investigation into rendition ("Rendition (Cm. 7171)" - ISBN 0101717121).The serious and sustained threat from international terrorism has, understandably, remained the main focus of the agencies. However the Committee is concerned that aspects of key intelligence and security work - including counter-espionage, serious crime work - are suffering as a consequence of the concentration on counter-terrorism. On the use of intercept, the Committee recognises its crucial importance to the capability of the agencies to protect the UK, its citizens, and its interests overseas. Any move to permit the use of intercept evidence in court proceedings must be on a basis that does not jeopardise that capability.The Committee welcomes the Government's announcement that the Committee might be strengthened to maximise the effectiveness of its scrutiny role and the proposal to publish a National Security Strategy.Finally, the Committee points to the one case where it has been refused access to documents.The Government's response to this report, "Government Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual Report 2006-2007 (Cm. 7300)" (ISBN 0101730020), is issued alongside the report and is available to purchase below. |