To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on whether the EU should (a) establish a European intelligence agency and (b) fund an EU intelligence-gathering capability. (191063)

The Government do not believe there is any need for a European intelligence agency. It is our belief that the interests of the UK are best served by the national intelligence agencies, sharing information on threats and capabilities on a bilateral or multilateral basis with our European partners as appropriate. British intelligence agencies are a major contributor to this process and continue to help build our partners' capabilities.