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departments may of course need to draw on information submitted to Ministers. In order to preserve collective Ministerial responsibility, and also the basis of confidence between Ministers and their advisers, it is necessary to refuse Committees access (if they should seek it) to the documents relating to the internal administration of a department or to inter-departmental exchanges on policy issues (see para 12). Nor should the methods by which a subject is being reviewed, eg by the Central Policy Review Staff or under PAR (Programme Analysis and Review), be disclosed.
iv.
Information about Cabinet Committees and their discussions, the manner in which a Minister has consulted his colleagues, or the level at which decisions were taken (see paras 12 and 26).
Questions in the field of political controversy (see para 28).
7.
vi.
Matters which are, or may become, the subject of sensitive negotiations with governments or other bodies, without prior consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, or in relation to domestic matters, the Ministers concerned.
vii. Specific cases where the Minister has or may have a quasi-
judicial or appellate function, eg in relation to planning applications and appeals, or where the subject-matter is being considered by the Courts or the Parliamentary Commissioner.
viii. Legislative proposals in the period between their submission
to the relevant policy committee and the introduction of a Bill, unless those proposals have already been published in the form of a White Paper or statement to the House (see para 28).
Where, exceptionally, such matters have to be discussed in the FAC,
application may be made for "sidelining" (see para 25). There is
no objection to saying in general terms why information cannot be
given and it is very unusual for a Committee to press an official
who indicates that he is in difficulty on such grounds in answering
a question. lf, however, this happens, it may be best to ask for
time to consider the request and to promise to report back.
pointed out in para 11, Committees' powers to send for persons,
papers and records, though general in form, are in practice limited
to what the majority of the House are prepared to enforce.
As
20. Officials should also take care in discussing or giving written
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