Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the ministerial membership of the National Security Council; what are the criteria for membership; and what is the process for appointments.

The permanent members of the National Security Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, are: the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Secretary, the Home Secretary, the International Development Secretary, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, and the Minister for Government Policy.

The National Security Council considers a wide range of issues relating to national security policy. The Cabinet Office works with the lead Department to prepare each issue for discussion.