TNAG-1419-FCO40-1902-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 254

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THEORETICALLY THERE IS NOTHING TO STOP THE HOME OFFICE, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, FROM PUBLISHING A COMMAND PAPER DURING THE RECESS. HOWEVER THIS WOULD BE REGARDED AS A

DISCOURTESY TO PARLIAMENT BECAUSE SO MANY MPS ARE AWAY FROM WESTMINSTER AT THAT TIME. DEPARTMENTS THEREFORE, EXCEPT IN VERY EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, ALWAYS PUBLISH WHILE THE HOUSE IS

SITTING.

(E) ONLY A MINORITY OF THE MORE IMPORTANT SELECT COMMITTEE

REPORTS ARE DEBATED. EVEN IF THEY ARE, IT IS OPEN TO THE

GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION ON ANY RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE IN ADVANCE OF THE DEBATE (AND INDEED IN ADVANCE OF PUBLICATION OF THE COMMAND PAPER) IF IT SO WISHES.

HOWE

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