NO nation is immune from the threat of international terrorism. The horrific attacks of September 11 and subsequent outrages in Bali and Kenya have demonstrated that there are no geographical boundaries beyond the reach of al Qaida.

With Britain preparing for a military offensive against Iraq our nation has become an obvious target for terrorist attacks.

Government ministers are right, therefore, to warn us all of the potential dangers. They are also right to take any preventive action they feel appropriate to thwart attacks and apprehend terrorist suspects.

And while our natural inquisitiveness may prompt calls for us to be given intelligence information, our common sense tells us that such openness is impractical.

These are occasions when we have to place our complete trust in ministers and civil servants to do their duty in a fit and proper manner.

As such the Home Secretary is entirely correct to point to the "real and serious threat" from al Qaida while at the same time pointing out the irresponsibility of giving a running commentary on the nature of the terrorist alert.

There has to be a balance struck between putting the security services and ordinary people on their guard and creating undue panic.

We sympathise with the dilemma facing ministers. Had they keep quiet about any threat they would be roundly condemned if and when an act of terrorism takes place.

Equally they must not exaggerate the threat to such an extent that people stop going about their everyday lives.

Frightening people unnecessarily will inflict greater economic and social damage on the country than any single atrocity can do.

Regrettably, it is at times like these when Government ministers' reputation for spin and presentation comes back to haunt them.

A Government, for example, which bases part of its military pursuit against Iraq on an outdated academic thesis may struggle to win public confidence on matters of security.

But on this particular occasion we must give them the benefit of doubt.