What is the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)?
Q: What is the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)?
A: The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), also known as MI6, is the United Kingdom's intelligence agency that gathers intelligence about foreign countries.
Q: When was the service formed and when was its existence officially acknowledged?
A: The service was formed in 1909 as the Secret Service Bureau and its existence was officially acknowledged in 1994.
Q: Who does SIS report to?
A: SIS reports to the Joint Intelligence Committee, which is a branch of the Foreign Service.
Q: What are the other intelligence agencies that SIS works with?
A: SIS works with the Security Service (MI5), Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), and the Defence Intelligence (DIS).
Q: What does SIS deal with?
A: SIS deals with the United Kingdom's espionage (spying) activities outside the United Kingdom.
Q: Where are the headquarters of SIS located?
A: The headquarters of SIS are located at Vauxhall Cross in London in a purpose-built building known as The River House in John le Carré novels.
Q: What was the cost of the site purchase and the building of SIS headquarters?
A: The National Audit Office (NAO) put the final cost at £135.05 million for site purchase and the basic building, or £152.6 million including the service's special requirements.
