TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 210

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recorded verbatim.

When oral evidence is to be given, it is

advisable for departments to send at least two witnesses so that

they can divide between themselves the responsibility for answering

questions.

18. Once information has been supplied to a Committee, it becomes

"evidence" and it is entirely within the competence of the Committee

to report and publish it or to refrain from doing so. Letters

addressed to the Clerk of the Committee, however informal, are

strictly speaking "evidence" and liable to be published. The risk

of publication (whether authorised by a Committee or not) must be

taken into account in deciding what it is prudent to make available.

even within authorised categories.

This

19. Guidance on the release of classified information to Committees

is given in the manual "Security in Government Departments".

manual is the overriding authority; what follows must be read

subject to its guidance. Officials must not disclose information

which the manual says must be withheld; they should consult their

Departmental Security Officers if in doubt.

giving written evidence about or discussing: -

They must also avoid

i. The private affairs of individuals, companies or institu- tions on which any information held by Ministers or their officials has been supplied in confidence (including such information about individuals which is available to the Government by virtue of their being engaged in or considered for public employment).

ii.

Sensitive information of a commercial nature, eg which has been given to the Government in confidence or which relates to contracts (but see paragraph 33 on the kind of contract information which may, in certain circumstances, be provided).

111.

Except in a case involving an Accounting Officer's responsibility (see C 8 and 9 of "Government Accounting"), the advice given to Ministers by their departments;

this is given

in confidence and its sense should not be disclosed, though

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