§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister what is her general policy towards the circumstances in which officials whose conduct has been the subject of an internal inquiry should be authorised to appear as witnesses before a Select Committee's inquiry into related matters; to what extent the practical application of this policy would be influenced in any given case by (a) the rank or position of the official in question, (b) whether or not disciplinary action had been taken and (c) the fact the immunity from prosecution had been granted; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterOfficials giving evidence before Select Committees do so on behalf of their Ministers, and it is therefore customary for Ministers to decide which officials should represent them for this purpose. The principles are set out in "Memorandum of Guidance for Officials appearing before Select Committees", issued as General Notice GEN 80/38, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.