Home page – SIS (MI6)

Welcome to the CIA Web Site — Central Intelligence Agency Secret Intelligence Service British foreign intelligence agency Formed in 1909 as the foreign section of the Secret Service Bureau, the section grew greatly during the First World War officially adopting its current name around 1920.[5] The name "MI6" (meaning Military Intelligence, Section 6) originated as a convenient label during the Second World War, when SIS was known by many names. It is still commonly used today.[5] The existence of SIS was not officially acknowledged until 1994.[6] That year the Intelligence Services Act 1994 was introduced to Parliament, to place the organisation on a statutory footing for the first time. It provides the legal basis for its operations. Since 1994, SIS headquarters have been in the SIS Building in London, on the South Bank of the River Thames.[12] History and development[edit] Foundation[edit] Its first director was Captain Sir Mansfield George Smith-Cumming, who often dropped the Smith in routine communication. First World War[edit] Inter-War period[edit] Cold War[edit] [edit]

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