(c)
Extensive Memoranda of meetings
It
As stated above (para 2) it is often impossible (because no official shorthand writer is present) or improper (when putting questions to foreigners on foreign soil) to take formal evidence. In these cases the next best thing is to produce an extensive memorandum of the meeting. This memorandum almost exactly resembles the typescript and final form of formal evidence. is, however, not produced as "oral evidence", but as an appendix to the Minutes of Evidence and is, in effect, no more than an extensive written submission. Nevertheless its accuracy is agreed by the participants. It is even possible to apply to the record of such meetings a procedure directly analogous to the sidelining procedure in order to protect sensitive or classified passages (in this event stage ii) of that procedure is introduced).
The record of such meetings may be taken down by tape
In recorder, or even by a locally engaged shorthand writer. these cases the locally engaged shorthand writer has no official
status.
(d) Notes of meetings
The Committee may not wish, or be able, to hold meetings abroad with all the paraphernalia of tape recording and the apparent formality of proceedings which characterise meetings of the type described above, especially when talking to foreign nationals. For such and other reasons it is common for the Clerk (and possibly any accompanying Adviser) to take notes, so that a record exists for all Members of the Committee.
These notes are usually typed up afterwards and, after agreement by the participants (again with sidelining, where appropriate), may be produced as an Appendix (as with 3 (c) above). More usually, however, this type of record is only circulated in confidence to Members of the Committee with the possibility that extracts may be referred to (or quoted) in the final Report. In such cases copies of the papers are sent to the
/witness
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.