D-Notice No. 10

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

DEFENCE, PRESS AND BROADCASTING COMMITIEE

'D' NOTICE NO 10

BRITISH INTELLIGENCE SERVICES

This Notice should be read in conjunction with 'D' Notice No I.

2. The broad functions of the Security Service and the Secret Service (often referred to as MI5 and M16) are of course widely known. The Security Service is responsible for countering threats to the Realm arising from espionage, subversion and sabotage and the Secret Service exists to provide HM Government with secret intelligence concerning foreign powers. Both Services must operate as far as possible in conditions of secrecy.

3. Attempts are made by foreign powers to plant stories in the British Press. A variation of this technique, which must be taken into account where the activities of foreign intelligence services are concerned, is the planting in an overseas newspaper or other publication of a piece of information about British Intelligence matters with an eye to stimulating the British Press not only to republish the story but also to expand on it.

4. You are requested not to publish anything about:

a. secret activities of the British intelligence or counter-intelligence services undertaken inside or outside the UK for the purposes of national security;

b. identities, whereabouts and tasks of persons of whatever status or rank who are or have been employed by either Service;

c. addresses and telephone numbers used by either Service;

d. organizational structures, communications networks, numerical strengths, secret methods and training techniques of either Service;

e. details of assistance given by the police forces in Security Service operations;

f. details of the manner in which well-known intelligence methods (eg telephone-tapping) are actually applied or of their targets and purposes where these concern national security. Reference in general terms to well- known intelligence methods is not precluded by this sub-paragraph;

g. technical advances by the British Services in relation to their intelligence and counter-intelligence methods whether the basic methods are well-known or not.

5. You are also requested to use extreme discretion in reporting any apparent disclosures of information published abroad purporting to come from members or former employees of either Service. If you are in any doubt please consult the Secretary.

6. You are also requested not to elaborate on any information which may be published abroad about British intelligence.

7. On all these limitations some relaxation may be possible: please consult the Secretary.

Date of issue 16 August 1971

The D-Notice reproduced above is one of a series issued to all national, regional and local media - newspapers, television and radio. It comes from Tony Bunyan's The History & practice of the Political Police in Britain.