John Hayes (Shadow Minister, Transport; South Holland & The Deepings, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role in the EU of SitCen.

Charles Clarke (Home Secretary; Norwich South, Labour)

The EU Joint Situation Centre (SitCen) monitors and assesses events and situations worldwide on a 24-hour basis with a focus on potential crisis regions, terrorism and WMD-proliferation. The SitCen also provides support to the EU High Representative, Special Representatives and other senior officials, as well as for EU crisis management operations.

The SitCen is divided into three units: the Civilian intelligence Cell (CIC), comprising civilian intelligence analysts working on political and counter-terrorism assessment; the General Operations Unit (GOU), providing 24-hour operational support, research and non-intelligence analysis; and the Communications Unit, handling communications security issues and running the council's communications centre (ComCen).

This creation of a CT analytical capacity within the CIC, which became active on 1 February 2005, has been the major aspect of SitCen's development since the attacks of 11 March in Madrid. As set out in The Hague multi-annual work programme, the intention is that SitCen furnishes the council with strategic intelligence-based assessments on counter-terrorism matters. An initial six month work programme has been set up to reflect the priorities of Heads of State as set out in the ED Action Plan on terrorism. This cross-pillar work programme incorporates justice and home affairs priorities, as well as those issues highlighted by external policy working groups. As such, it includes for example, assessments on threats to modes of transport; threats to critical national infrastructure targets in EU member states; and an assessment of trends in terrorist financing.

SitCen's priorities had hitherto largely focused on Common Foreign and Security Policy issues and did not serve to provide the necessary JHA input. With the CT Cell's work programme now reflecting broader EU CTpriorities it is intended to add support to current policy areas. This is the principal area where the SitCen CT Cell can contribute to JHA work: strategic intelligence-based assessments on counter-terrorism matters in support of current policy discussions.