506 • SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS UNITS
ing supervises the various agencies represented at the United King-
dom’s 70 commercially significant seaports, 142 civil airports, and
3,000 private landing strips.
Until reorganization in 1985, when it was redesignated SO12, Spe-
cial Branch existed as a separate elite within Scotland Yard.Sir Basil
Thomson’s attempt to develop the branch as aDirectorate of Intel-
ligenceended with his resignation in 1921, and the branch’s civilian
staff, led byGuy Liddelland Hugh Miller, was transferred to MI5
in theTreaty of Westminsterin 1931. Only one former head of Spe-
cial Branch,Leonard Burt, has served in MI5, being on secondment
during World War II. Currently the MPSB sections include:- the National Public Order Intelligence Unit, which collects informa-
tion about major disturbances - the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit, responsible for
monitoring financial support for terrorism - the National Joint Unit, which coordinates operations with the pro-
vincial forces - the National Special Branch Technology Unit, which manages tech-
nical support for branch operations - the Communications Intelligence Unit, which handles telephone in-
tercept warrants and the recovery of computer data from suspect
computers - theNational Ports Office, coordinating the individual Port Units
- the MPSB Training Unit, which runs specialist courses with the Se-
curity Service - the European Liaison Section, which maintains a link to Europol
and foreign police forces on behalf of the provincial forces
The MPSB also retains the remit for VIP and ministerial close pro-
tection. The heads of Special Branch have included John Littlechild
(1883–1903), Patrick Quinn (1909–18), James McBrien (1918–29),
Edward Parker (1929–36), Albert Canning (1936 –46), Leonard Burt
(1946 –58), Evan Jones (1958–66), Ferguson Smith (1966 –72), Vic-
tor Gilbert (1972–77), Robert Bryan (1977–81), and Colin Hewett
(1981–85).SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS UNITS (SCU).The Special Com-
munication Units were outstations ofSection VIIIof theSecret In-