TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 247

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b.

Oral evidence Details of arrangements for each session of oral evidence are circulated by the LCD Liaison Officer. The team of witnesses is usually led by the co-ordinator of written evidence forming the subject of oral examination. Oral evidence is recorded verbatim by a Committee Office shorthand-writer and a transcript is forwarded to the Department for witnesses to identify material unsuitable for publication. These proposals for "sidelining" are normally cleared by witnesses with the principal witness before being passed to the MCD Liaison Officer for processing. When the proposals for side- lining have been agreed with the Chairman of the Sub-Committee, the Committee Office arranges preparation of an unclassified printer's proof on which witnesses are invited to correct stenographic errors. It is not possible to make substantial changes in wording or emphasis unless the shorthand writer has made a mistake. Otherwise qualification by brief footnote may be considered in appropriate circumstances, but correction to the sense of evidence requires formal written advice by MOD to the Clerk to the Sub Committee.

SUB COMMITTEE's FUBLICATION OF EVIDENCE AND REPORT

7.

The unclassified record of written and oral evidence taken by the Sub-Committee is published periodically. At less frequent intervals the Sub-Committee reports progress and makes recommendations to the House of Commons via the main Expenditure Committee. General Guidance on the preparation of Departmental replies is given in paragraphs 37 to 45 of Annex A. Expenditure Committee Reports are debalcd in the Commons on days set aside for the purposs and it seems likely that Reports emanating from the Sub Committee on Defence and External Affairs will also provide substance and background for future Defence and Estimates debates.

F1(N)

(Nov 72)

Annex A DEO letter KG 23/113/01 dated 13 Sep 72 (CONFIDENTIAL)

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B Composition of Defence and External Affairs Sub Committee of the

Expenditure Committee.

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