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15.
Committees are subject to the rules by which the House regulates
its own conduct and that of its Members. It is normally possible to
work on the assumption that if a matter already before the Courts
seemed likely to come up for discussion before a Committee, the staff
of the House would have drawn the attention of the chairman to the
relevant rules of the House relating to discussion of sub-judice
questions. But the chairman has an overriding discretion to
determine what is appropriate in the hearing of evidence.
Travel Overseas
16.
Committees may wish to travel abroad, and to take evidence in
extra-territorial conditions. It has been informally agreed with
the Clerk of the House that "early-warning" will be given at the
official level if a Committee contemplates foreign travel, but
departments should ensure that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
is informed as soon as it is known that a Committee is proposing to
There is provision in the House of Commons' Vote
travel overseas.
to pay for the travelling expenses of members, and such expenditure
is regulated by the chairmen of Committees meeting as a joint body
(see para 10). Departments may obtain advice on proposals by
Committees to travel abroad from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(Parliamentary Commissioner and Committees Unit, 930-2323
extension 1295).
Procedure for Giving Evidence
17. To help secure that the reports of Committees are as soundly
based on fact as possible, departments should be as forthcoming as
they can (within the limits set out in this note) when requested to
provide information whether in writing or orally. Oral evidence is
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