The Security Commission, sometimes known as the Standing Security Commission,Geoffrey Philip Wilson, "Cases and materials on constitutional and administrative law", Cambridge University Press, 1976 p. 98. was a UK non-departmental public body or quango established in 1964 to investigate breaches of security in the public sector. It was abolished in 2010, on the basis that government would investigate breaches of security as and when they occurred.
Origins The idea of the Security Commission, initially canvassed by the Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, was first publicly suggested by his successor Sir Alec Douglas-Home in a Parliamentary debate about the Denning Report into the Profumo affair on 16 December 1963. Douglas-Home envisaged that the commission would consist of retired civil servants and would be chaired by someone from the judiciary. It was to investigate matters referred to it by the Prime Minister of the day and issue its reports back to the Prime Minister, with the Leader of the Opposition consulted before any inquiry and after the report was completed. Douglas-Home met with the Leader of the Opposition Harold Wilson (who had given a cautious welcome to the proposal) on 22 January to agree the details.
Formation On 23 January 1964 the formation of the Security Commission was announced, with the terms of reference:
Harold Wilson expanded the remit on 10 May 1965 to allow the Commission to investigate circumstances where a breach of security might have occurred.
Reports The Security Commission issued fifteen reports during its existence.
Date Composition Circumstances Reference June 1965 Lord Justice WinnLord NormanbrookSir Caspar John Convictions of civil servants Frank Clifton Bossard and Percy Sidney Allen under s. 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 2722 July 1966 Lord Justice WinnLord Sinclair of CleeveSir Dudley Ward Discovery of classified documents at the home of Squadron Leader Peter John Reen RAF, to which he had official access before he retired in 1961 Cmnd. 3151 June 1967 Lord Justice WinnSir Caspar JohnSir Dudley Ward Circumstances in which Miss Helen Mary Keenan, typist in the Cabinet Office, had been charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 3365 November 1968 Lord Justice WinnSir Dudley WardSir Harold Kent Circumstances in which Douglas Ronald Britten, a Chief Technician in the RAF, pleaded guilty to offences under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 3856 January 1969 Lord Justice WinnLord Sinclair of CleeveSir Dudley Ward Circumstances in which Clive Edwin Bland, photoprinter in the Ministry of Technology, pleaded guilty to offences under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 3892 May 1973 Lord DiplockLord Sinclair of CleeveSir Dudley Ward Circumstances in which Sub-Lieutenant David James Bingham and Mr Leonard Michael Hinchliffe pleaded guilty to offences under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 5362 July 1973 Lord DiplockLord Sinclair of CleeveSir Dudley WardLord GarnerSir Philip Allen To verify that security was not endangered as a result of incidents leading to the resignations from the Government of Earl Jellicoe and Lord Lambton Cmnd. 5367 May 1981 Lord DiplockLord Bridge of HarwichLord Greenhill of HarrowSir Horace Law Circumstances in which John Barry Wagstaff, Ministry of Defence civil servant, had been charged with an offence under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 8235 May 1983 Lord Bridge of HarwichLord Justice GriffithsLord Allen of AbbeydaleSir Hugh Beach Breaches of security which may have occurred arising out of the case of Geoffrey Arthur Prime, convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 8876 March 1984 Lord Bridge of HarwichLord Justice GriffithsLord Allen of AbbeydaleSir Hugh Beach Breaches of security which may have occurred arising out of the case of Lance Corporal Philip Leslie Aldridge, convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 9212 May 1985 Lord Bridge of HarwichLord Allen of AbbeydaleSir Michael PalliserSir Alasdair Steedman Breaches of security which may have occurred arising out of the case of Michael John Bettaney, convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cmnd. 9514 October 1986 Lord GriffithsLord Justice LloydLord Allen of AbbeydaleSir Hugh Beach Breaches of security which may have occurred arising out of the case of eight members of 9 Signal Regiment who have been charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911, and any similarities with the case of Senior Aircraftsman Paul John Davies who has been charged with a similar offence Cmnd. 9923 July 1995 Lord Lloyd of BerwickSir John BlellochSir Derek BoormanLord Tombs Breaches of security which may have occurred arising out of the case of Michael John Smith, convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1911 Cm. 2930 February 2000 Lord Lloyd of BerwickDame Elizabeth Butler-SlossSir John FoleySir Clive Whitmore Breaches of security which may have occurred arising out of the case of Chief Petty Officer Steven Hayden, convicted under the Official Secrets Act 1989 Cm. 4578 May 2004 Dame Elizabeth Butler-SlossSir Charles MantellSir John GouldenSir Iain Vallance To review vetting of those who join or belong to the Royal Households, those working closely with them, or who otherwise gain access to Royal residences Cm. 6177
Members Latterly its members were:
Lady Justice Butler-Sloss,(Chairman) Lord Justice Mantell (Alternative chairman) Lieutenant General Sir John Foley Sir Clive Whitmore Sir Iain Vallance Sir John Goulden
External links The Security Commission website (UK Government web archive)
References