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d) Meetings overseas are generally conducted on an informal and off-the-record basis, although formal evidence is occasionally taken.
(I understand that the Clerk to the FAC has already indicated that the Committee do not intend to take formal evidence in Hong Kong, but all concerned should nevertheless be aware that the Committee could still decide, perhaps even during their visit, to take formal evidence).
e) Once information has been supplied to a Committee it becomes "evidence" and subject only to the conventions governing classified information (paragraphs 48-51 of the Memorandum), it is entirely within the competence of the Committee to report and publish it, or to refrain from doing so. Letters addressed to the Clerk to the Committee, however informal, are strictly speaking "evidence" and liable to be published.
f) Guidance to Departments on the release of classified information to Committees is given in the manual
"Security in Government Departments". This manual is the overriding authority.
(Departmental Security Officer in PRU holds a copy of the relevant pages of the Manual.)
g) Negotiations with other governments are normally conducted in strict confidence. Officials should take care in discussing or giving written evidence, matters which may affect relations with other Governments
or relations between British officials and those of other Governments.
Treatment of Evidence
Open Sessions
h) Open Sessions of Committees often attract publicity since evidence before them may be reported forthwith by the Press. Departments are in these circumstances free to comment immediately to the Press on matters raised in their evidence. If a Select Committee takes evidence in public from a Minister or senior official, therefore, it may be considered desirable for a Press Officer to attend so as to be able to answer Press queries.
/Disclosure
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