the manner in which authority to classify information is extended far beyond the confines of the security establishment, despite a clause which states that secrecy is justifiable only when it is necessary to protect the national security, emerges in another clause which states that the powers of classification, reclassification and declassification apply to the cabinet, security, defence and police services and to any organ of state or part thereof that makes application to the minister of state security. a head of an organ of state may delegate, in writing, the authority to classify state information to a staff member at a sufficiently senior level without spelling the level of seniority. potential ministerial involvement in classification is illustrated by a clause which says that if there is significant doubt as to whether state information requires protection, the matter must be referred to the relevant minister for a decision. while having made the point that protection of national security is the only justifiable reason for secrecy, another clause dealing with the principles that underpin the legislation ``and inform its interpretation and implementation’’ states that the protection and classification of certain state information is however vital to save lives, to enhance and to protect the freedom and security of persons, bring criminals to justice, protect the national security and to engage in effective government and diplomacy. when information is categorised as classified, all individual items of information that fall within that classified category are deemed to be classified.