ANNEX A
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Forms of "Evidence" taken by the Committee
1.
Introduction
Meetings of the Committee to gather information whether in the UK or abroad, fall into various categories, from informal briefing or discussions to formal evidence with an official shorthand writer (or a local writer officially approved), which is protected by Parliamentary privilege. Whenever there is any possibility of misunderstanding, the Chairman will inform (or should be asked by) participants in advance of the nature of the
session.
2. Informal briefing or Discussions
There are occasions when it is undesirable, improper or impossible for the Committee to take formal evidence, or when they wish informally and in private to discuss or learn of a subject from officials or experts.
These briefing or discussion meetings will, by mutual consent, be completely "off-the-record" and will be introdued as such by the Chairman. Their nature can range from just "in confidence" to "classified". Despite their "off-the-record" status, however, the Committee may well desire a record (ie note
This or tape recording) to be taken for their own private use. procedure too is agreed by mutual consent at the outset and is, of course, subject to the usual safeguards governing sensitive information. The accuracy of the note, or transcript, taken may be agreed later by all parties to the discussion and, as implied above whenever sensitive information is involved, sidelining procedures are operated (see below for detailed information).
/In no
Page 75Page 76