Future of Secret Services: Part 4; The Bland Report

A file of documents relating to the review of the security and intelligence services carried out by Sir Nevile Bland in 1943. The file contains copies of both the draft and the final version of the report, which makes recommendations on the reorganisation of a number of aspects of the intelligence services, including recruitment of staff and agents; the gathering and distribution of intelligence; relations with the Foreign Office; counter-espionage; special operations and sabotage; communications and cyphers; finances; scientific and technological research. The file also contains memoranda and correspondence discussing the need to avoid duplication in the work of the Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6); the most urgently needed items of intelligence for major countries in Europe, the Middle East and East Asia; the history of British intelligence before and during the early stages of the war; including criticisms and accusations of inadequate performance.