Conclusion 2

We are concerned that the ad hoc approach taken towards these matters provides varying degrees of accountability to Parliament in different cases, while the processes themselves lack transparency. In some important but sensitive areas of policy, where areas of expenditure do not fall within the mandates or practical working arrangements of other committees such as the Defence Select Committee, the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, or the statutory Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, this leads to worrying ‘scrutiny gaps’. That approach fails to provide appropriate assurance to the public, to Parliament or indeed to Government on matters which could be of vital national interest. We have concluded that this approach presents certain risks. (Paragraphs 5–6)