Intelligence and Security Committee — Should belong to the House — rejected — 17 Jul 2008 at 17:13

The majority of MPs voted against adding an extra clause to the end of the motion for debate:^[1]

• This House endorses the proposals for the reform of practice and operation of the Intelligence and Security Committee as set out in paragraphs 235-244 of the Governance of Britain White Paper, Cm 7342-I, including provision for nomination of the members of the Committee drawn from the House of Commons to be based in future on proposals made by this House.

which read:^[2]

• ... and considers that the secretariat of the Intelligence and Security Committee should be staffed by officials under the authority of the Clerk of the House.

The paragraphs mentioned in the White Paper effectively restate the current situation that the Intelligence and Security Committee (which provides oversight of the secret services), while composed of Members of Parliament, meets outside of the Houses of Parliament and has its reports vetted by the Prime Minister,^[3] unlike any other select committee.

The proposal and debate was over bringing it more under the authority of the Parliament.

• [1] David Miliband MP motion made, House of Commons, 17 July 2008
• [2] Andrew Mackinley MP speech, House of Commons, 17 July 2008
• [3] The Intelligence and Security Committee, Intelligence Services Act 1994

Debate in Parliament | Source |