TNAG-1838-FCO40-2613-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 72

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Written Evidence

7.

Prior to the visit posts may occasionally be asked to submit a Memorandum on some aspects of the Committee's inquiry. During or after the visit they may be asked to amplify in writing comments made in that memorandum. Any

such formal written evidence should be sent to Parliamentary

Relations Unit, to consult the FCO Department concerned, and despatch to the Committee. Such papers are usually published by the Committee.

Formal Evidence

8.

Select Committees do not usually take formal evidence

from Heads of Mission or Members of their staff. If this

seems at all likely, Parliamentary Relations Unit will try to advise posts concerned in advance. However, the

Committee retains the right to make its decision on the

spot.

9.

Officials appearing before Select Committees do so on

behalf of their Ministers. Evidence at posts should

therefore normally be given by the Head of Mission, or a

senior member of the staff acting on his behalf, backed by

"experts" as required. There is no limit to the number of

such witnesses.

10. If formal evidence is taken at posts, it will usually be taken in private, and recorded verbatim with a view to publication in due course as part of the Committee's report. Transcripts are provided by the Committee to the Mission for correction by witnesses prior to printing and for any 'sidelining' that may be necessary (Memorandum para 51). At such sessions it may be difficult to avoid making classified or otherwise sensitive statements which, given more time,

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