Catalogue description Records of the Standing Security Commission

Details of Division within CAB
Reference: Division within CAB
Title: Records of the Standing Security Commission
Description:

Minutes, papers and reports of the Commission are in CAB 194.

Date: 1964-1973
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Physical description: 1 series
Administrative / biographical background:

Following the Vassall case in 1963 Harold Macmillan consulted Hugh Gaitskell about a proposal for a standing commission to inquire into the security issues raised by cases prosecuted under the Official Secrets Acts and there was discussion of the proposal in Parliament.

In January 1964 Alec Douglas-Home announced the appointment of the Standing Security Commission in the House of Commons. The Commission was to comprise a High Court judge as chairman, assisted by two lay members.

The Commission convenes when requested to do so by the prime minister, and submits its reports to him.

The Commission is supported from within the Cabinet Office.

Have you found an error with this catalogue description?

Help with your research