(4) Without prejudice to the generality of the power of the Secretary of State to give an authorisation under this section, such an authorisation—
- (a) may relate to a particular act or acts, to acts of a description specified in the authorisation or to acts undertaken in the course of an operation so specified;
- (b) may be limited to a particular person or persons of a description so specified; and
- (c) may be subject to conditions so specified.
(5) An authorisation shall not be given under this section except—
- (a) under the hand of the Secretary of State; or
- (b) in an urgent case where the Secretary of State has expressly authorised it to be given and a statement of that fact is endorsed on it, under the hand of a senior official of his department.
(6) An authorisation shall, unless renewed under subsection (7) below, cease to have effect—
- (a) if the authorisation was given under the hand of the Secretary of State, at the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which it was given;
- (b) in any other case, at the end of the period ending with the second working day following the day on which it was given.
(7) If at any time before the day on which an authorisation would cease to have effect the Secretary of State considers it necessary for the authorisation to continue to have effect for the purpose for which it was given, he may by an instrument under his hand renew it for a period of six months beginning with that day.
(8) The Secretary of State shall cancel an authorisation if he is satisfied that any act authorised by it is no longer necessary.
The Commissioner, the Tribunal and the investigation of complaints
The Commissioner. 8.—(1) The Prime Minister shall appoint as a Commissioner for the purposes of this Act a person who holds or has held high judicial office within the meaning of the 1876 c. 59.Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876.
(2) The Commissioner shall hold office in accordance with the terms of his appointment and there shall be paid to him by the Secretary of State such allowances as the Treasury may determine.
(3) In addition to his functions under the subsequent provisions of this Act, the Commissioner shall keep under review the exercise by the Secretary of State of his powers under sections 5 to 7 above, except in so far as the powers under sections 5 and 6 above relate to the Security Service.
(4) It shall be the duty of—
- (a) every member of the Intelligence Service,
- (b) every member of GCHQ, and
- (c) every official of the department of the Secretary of State,
to disclose or give to the Commissioner such documents or information as he may require for the purpose of enabling him to discharge his functions.
