ABSTRACT
A major justification for keeping the extensive, and expensive, security apparatus described in the previous chapter is Britain’s position in world affairs. Its role as a major power means that it is vital for hostile states and interests to know about government intentions and policies. By the same token, it is important for Britain to know about theirs. This justifies large investments in decoding and intelligence gathering (spying) abroad, and placing some restrictions on freedoms at home to prevent foreign spies doing the same things here.
