General
The matters covered by the reservation are:
national security (including safeguarding the economic well-being of the United Kingdom) and in particular its protection;
the circumstances under which communications may be intercepted, but not the use by the police of intrusive investigative techniques, such as certain kinds of surveillance or;
official secrets, in particular the protection of the national interest from activities which involve, or could involve, the unauthorised disclosure of information which might damage that interest; and
special powers and provisions for dealing with terrorism.
The police and (with certain exceptions) the criminal law generally are not reserved.
The tribunal established by the Interception of Communications Act 1985 is a cross-border public authority and has been dealt with under sections 88 to 90.
Section B10 reserves emergency powers. Aviation and maritime security are reserved by Sections E3 and E4. Paragraph 2(4) in Part I of Schedule 5 reserves functions of the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Headquarters.
Amendments to the Official Secrets Act 1989 are made by paragraph 26 of Schedule 8.