Since 1994, Directors General of the Security service have given a number of public speeches. The transcripts of these addresses are available here.
"Intelligence, Counter-terrorism and Trust"
(5 November 2007)
Jonathan Evans, the Director General of the Security Service, gave a speech at the Society of Editors' conference in Manchester on 5 November 2007 in which he provided an update on the terrorist threat and spoke about the need for perseverance and strategic thinking in our efforts to counter the threat from international terrorism.
"The International Terrorist Threat To The UK"
(9 November 2006)
Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, the Director General of the Security Service, gave a speech at Queen Mary College, London on 9 November 2006 in which she warned of the continuing threat of terrorism and described how the Security Service and others were combating it.
"The International Terrorist Threat And The Dilemmas In Countering It"
(1 September 2005)
The 60th anniversary of the creation of the Algemene Inlichtingen- en -Veiligheidsdienst (AIVD), the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service, was marked by Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller with a speech given at the Ridderzaal, Binnenhof, in The Hague.
She stated that the key to countering international terrorism was international cooperation, particularly between intelligence and security services.
Dame Eliza spoke about the nature of intelligence and the dilemmas of countering the international terrorist threat. She also praised the courage of Londoners following the attacks in London on 7 July 2005.
"Broadening The Business Security Agenda"
(8 November 2004)
Introducing a session focusing on security at the CBI annual conference 2004 in Birmingham, the Director General of the Security Service, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, reiterated to business leaders that "there is a serious and sustained threat of terrorist attacks against UK interests at home and abroad, including against the business community."
Dame Eliza urged businesses to broaden their thinking about security issues to include terrorism, and explained how the Security Service can support them.
"Global Terrorism: Are We Meeting The Challenge?"
(16 October 2003)
The Director General of the Security Service, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, delivered the James Smart lecture at the City of London Police Headquarters on 16 October 2003.
In her speech, Dame Eliza emphasised the importance of public communication as part of the Service's counter-terrorist strategy. She also talked about the assimilation and use of terrorist intelligence and the important work taking place to disseminate advice on protection.
"Countering Terrorism: An International Blueprint"
(17 June 2003)
The Director General of the Security Service, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute "Oversight of Intelligence and Security" conference on 17 June 2003.
She gave an overview of the terrorist threat to the UK, the response of the Security Service to the events of 11 September 2001, and her thoughts on the future nature of the threat. "There are no guarantees in the counter-terrorism business," Dame Eliza said; "this will be a difficult road to travel but the UK has many advantages on which to build."
"British Intelligence In The 20th Century"
(21 June 2001)
The Director General of the Security Service, Sir Stephen Lander, opened the Public Records Office conference "The Missing Dimension" on 21 June 2001. The conference examined the Open Government Initiative and the potential impact of the Freedom of Information Act.
Sir Stephen described the significant changes the Security Service had made to its policies on the retention and release of records and emphasised the contribution of material in our archives to understanding UK 20th century history.
"Intelligence, Security And The Law"
(3 November 1994)
The Director General of the Security Service, Dame Stella Rimington, gave the James Smart lecture on 3 November 1994. She focused on the relationship between the Security Service and the Police and how it has developed over the years in response to changing priorities. She went on to outline the Service's engagement with the criminal justice process and how the Service is held to account.
"Security And Democracy: Is There Conflict?"
(12 June 1994)
The Director General of the Security Service, Dame Stella Rimington, gave the Richard Dimbleby Memorial lecture broadcast on BBC1 on 12 June 1994, the first public speech by a Director General of the Security Service. Dame Stella explained the role and function of the Service, why it is needed, how it is accountable and how it is compatible with personal liberty within our democracy.