FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I offer intelligence to SIS?
If you are in the UK and believe that you have intelligence of importance to SIS or Her Majesty's Government you may write to SIS at PO Box 1300, London SE1 1BD. If you have information relating to immediate threats to the UK, such as terrorism, please pass this immediately to the Security Service. If your information relates to an imminent threat to life or property, please contact the police on 999 or the Police Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
Who does SIS collect intelligence on?
SIS is tasked by the British Government to collect intelligence world-wide in support of its security, defence, foreign and economic policies. SIS does not itself decide on the intelligence requirements placed on the Service. These requirements are regularly reviewed by government and are classified. SIS has a legal duty to collect intelligence "relating to the actions and intentions of persons overseas".
How does SIS fit into the machinery of government?
SIS comes under the authority of the Foreign Secretary but it is a separate organisation, not part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. SIS staff are civil servants, though they are not part of the Home Civil Service (which staff of most government departments are). SIS's primary responsibility is to collect intelligence for the benefit of the UK government. It has no responsibility for the formulation of government policy.
What is the difference between MI6 and MI5?
SIS (MI6) collects secret intelligence overseas on behalf of the British Government. MI5, the Security Service, is the UK's security intelligence agency responsible for protecting the UK, its interests and citizens against major threats to national security.
Does SIS have powers of arrest?
No. As an intelligence agency SIS has no powers of arrest. It works in support of law enforcement agencies but does not have law enforcement powers.
How can I become a member of SIS?
Please read the Careers section. SIS recruits high-calibre, motivated and dynamic staff to perform operational, technical and administrative functions in the UK and abroad. Please follow the application procedures laid out in the careers section.
How much does SIS cost the British taxpayer?
For security reasons neither SIS, the Security Service nor GCHQ makes public their annual budgets. Together with the other two intelligence and security agencies SIS is funded from the Single Intelligence Account for which the Permanent Secretary, Intelligence, Security and Resilience, Sir Richard Mottram, is Accounting Officer. This stands at £1.355bn for 2005/6 and is expected to rise to £1.553bn for 2007/8. Like any other public authority SIS is subject to stringent financial controls and oversight.
How big is SIS?
SIS does not reveal the number of staff it employs nor where they are based for reasons of operational security.
Does SIS produce an annual report?
The Chief of SIS produces an annual report for the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister. The contents are classified. Reports about the work of the Service are routinely published by the ISC and the two Commissioners.
What does SIS not comment on and why?
SIS is a secret service. In order to protect its staff, its agents and the intelligence it collects SIS does not comment on operations or operational detail, budgets, staff or agent identities.
Does SIS ever use torture?
No. In line with clearly stated British Government policy, SIS never uses torture for any purposes, including to obtain information. Nor does SIS ever instigate, condone or otherwise support others in the use of torture for any purpose.
Where does the title MI6 come from?
In the late 1930s MI6 was adopted as a flag of convenience for SIS. It was used extensively during WWII. Although the title fell into official disuse it remains in common use outside SIS.
Why is the head of SIS known as 'C'?
The first Chief of SIS, Captain Sir Mansfield Smith Cumming RN, signed himself with a 'C' (as the initial letter of his surname) - in green ink. In his honour all his successors have done the same; not least to reinforce the secrecy needed for the identities of the Service's officers and agents.
A relative or friend used to work for SIS or SOE. Can I obtain details of their work?
SOE personal files were released to The National Archive in March 2003 amongst the final papers in a ten year release of the SOE archive.
It is SIS policy not to comment on the identities of former staff or agents.
How realistic is the depiction of SIS in the James Bond films?
James Bond, as Ian Fleming originally conceived him was based on reality. But any author needs to inject a level of glamour and excitement beyond reality in order to sell. By the time the filmmakers focused on Bond the gap between truth and fiction had already widened. Nevertheless, staff who join SIS can look forward to a career that will have moments when the gap narrows just a little and the certainty of a stimulating and rewarding career which, like Bond's, will be in the service of their country.
How can I complain?
There is an Investigatory Powers Tribunal of senior members of the legal profession or judiciary that has been established to investigate complaints by individuals about the conduct by the intelligence agencies towards them or about the interception of their communications. Details on how to contact the IPT can be found on their website www.ipt-uk.com.
