TNAG-2254-FCO40-3238-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-gene-1991 — Page 83

ANNEX C

FIRST REPORT FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE, SESSION 1977-78 (BC 588-1)

Appendix C, Annex III

Letter from the Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons to the Chairman of certain select committees, dated 9th May 1967.

The Specialist Committees and the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries have indicated that they wish to take evidence from Ministers, and it will of course be the Government's object to give Committees all the help we can in this way.

There must, however, be certain limitations which Ministers must seek to observe in their evidence on grounds of public policy. While these limitations are, I think, in general, already well established in relation to evidence given by officials to Select Committees, and in relation to information given to the House as a whole, it may be convenient if I restate them in the present context.

These limitations extend to information affecting national security, which would normally be withheld from the House in the national interest; information relating to the private affairs of individuals or individual bodies, on which any information held by Ministers or their officials has been supplied on a confidential basis; and specific cases where the Minister has or may have a quasi-judicial or appellate function, e.g. in relation

It may also, for obvious to planning applications and appeals. reasons, be necessary for Ministers to excuse themselves from discussing matters which are, or may become, the subject of sensitive negotiation with Governments or other bodies.

Further,

I think it will be generally recognised that the details of legislative proposals should first be communicated to the House as a whole and that Ministers should not, therefore, be expected to give particulars of such proposals prior to the introduction of a Bill, unless the proposals have already been published in

I would not the form of a White Paper or statement to the House. think that these limitations, largely deriving as they do from existing practice, will handicap your Committee, but if you would like to discuss them I should be very ready to do so.

I am writing similarly to the Chairmen of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries and the Select Committee on Science and Technology.

•