13. The first source of advice on all matters of Committee procedures and practice is the clerks . Clerks serve all members and give impartial advice. However, inevitably, there will be a close working relationship between the convener and the clerk. In order to discuss draft agendas, papers, reports and the convener's brief it is important for regular meetings to be scheduled between the committee convener and the clerk.
14. During committee meetings, clerks will advise on procedure, and if asked to do so will give advice “on the record”. However, a convener may still ask a clerk privately for advice on any point of concern. In meetings, a clerk may from time to time draw procedural matters to the convener's attention, but it is for the convener to decide what action to take and whether to call the meeting to order. Clerks do not generally give advice on matters of policy (other than when advising the Procedures and Standards Committees in the discharge of their functions).