Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)
The principal function of SIS, often known as MI6, is the
collection of secret foreign intelligence on issues concerning
Britain's vital interests in the fields of security, defence, serious
crime, foreign and economic policies.
The work of SIS is undertaken in accordance with requirements and
priorities that are established by the
Joint Intelligence Committee and approved by Ministers. SIS uses
human and technical sources to meet these requirements, as well as liaison
with a wide range of foreign intelligence and security services.
The role of SIS is governed by the Intelligence
Services Act 1994[External website], which placed SIS on
a statutory basis for the first time. The Act formalised the Foreign
Secretary's responsibility for the work of SIS. It defined the
functions of the Service and the responsibility of its Chief as well as
establishing oversight arrangements. The Act directs SIS to obtain and
provide information relating to the acts and intentions of persons
overseas:
-
in the fields of national security and with particular reference to the
government's defence and foreign policies;
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in the interests of the economic well-being of the UK; and
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in support of the prevention or detection of serious crime.
The Act likewise directs SIS to perform other tasks, enabling the Service
to conduct operations and to act clandestinely overseas in support of
British Government objectives.
The Foreign Secretary is answerable to Parliament for the work of SIS.
SIS was established in 1909 as the Foreign Section of the Secret Service
Bureau under the leadership of Naval Commander (later Captain Sir)
Mansfield Cumming.
The Foreign Section was responsible for gathering intelligence overseas.
It grew steadily and by 1920 had become a separate service increasingly
referred to as SIS. Cumming signed himself 'C'. His successors
have done so ever since.
The present Chief of SIS is John Scarlett, who took office in 2004. SIS
is based at Vauxhall Cross in central London.
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