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Members of the Security Commission [1991]

01 January 1991

Members of the Security Commission [1991]
bacdoc November=1991

The members of the Security Commission are:

The Rt Hon Lord Griffiths of Govilon MC (Chairman)
The Rt Hon Lord Justice Lloyd
Sir Alan Cottrell FRS
The Rt Hon Sir Michael Palliser GCMG
Sir John Blelloch KCB
Lieutenant-General Sir Derek Boorman KCB
Sir Christopher Curwen KCMG

The Security Commission was established in 1964. On the Prime
Minister's request, the Commission investigates and reports on
the circumstances in which a breach of security has occurred in
security arrangements such a espionage or leaks to the press,
MPs or public. It also looks on any related failure of
departmental security arrangements or neglect of duty, and in
the light of any such investigation. It advises whether any
change in the security arrangements are necessary.

The members of the Commission form a panel of seven from whom
three or four, including the Chairman, are normally selected on
each occasion when the commission is invited to investigate a
breach of security.

Three new members were appointed on 1 October 1991: Sir John
Blelloch, who is 60, retired in 1990 as Permanent Under
Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office. Sir Derek Boorman,
61, has been Lieutenant of the Tower of London since 1989. He
was Chief of Defence Intelligence, Ministry of Defence 1985-8.
Sir Christopher Curwen, 62, has recently retired as a Deputy
Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

These three are replacing: Lord Allen of Abbeydale, who is 79,
was appointed to the Commission in 1973. Sir Hugh Beach (68)
and Sir Alasdair Steedman (69) have served since 1982.

Security Service MI5 Espionage