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Select Committee Guidance and Training
It would be foolish to suggest that every Select Committee inquiry has the same influence and impact upon public policy and administration. The reality is that their influence is mixed - some have had enormous impact, whilst the majority play an important, but less high profile role, in providing a check and balance on the executive by the legislature.
One thing is certain - a witness must be as fully prepared as possible before appearing before a Select Committee. Corporate and individual reputations can be broken within a matter of minutes by concerted penetrating and aggressive questioning. Ill-prepared and unsuspecting witnesses can be hijacked at the most uncontroversial of hearings. Negative publicity in the lead-up and following select committee hearings can be deeply damaging.
Whilst no amount of preparation can guarantee such a thing as an "easy" hearing or ultimately a positive report, thorough preparation, consideration and rehearsing can at worst neutralise some of the negative impact and at best provide an opportunity for positive profiling and message communication.
Freshwater Public Affairs have guided a wide variety of organisations through Select Committee inquiries including the Civil Aviation Authority and the Association of Train Operating Companies.
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