Briefing notes.
Briefing books.
The Cameron Inquiry on Hormone Receptor testing is hearing about briefing notes for ministers.
There are several different types but all have the same basic function: they concisely convey information to a minister on a major issue or an aspect of his or her department.
Here are two types:
1. The Hand-Over Book. This is the set of notes covering the department, its legal authorities, responsibilities, organization, budget and everything else a minister needs to know. They are given to ministers when they take over. This type of briefing, often accompanied by one or a series of meetings are intended to orient a new minister to his or her responsibilities. This "book" is updated whenever there is a ministerial change. The biggest version is done for a new administration but every time there's a new minister, the book is brought up to date. It is handed over from one minister to the next.
The notes are prepared by a senior departmental official, based on information collected from whatever sources are relevant.
2. House of Assembly Minister's Book. This binder contains short notes on major issues likely to come up in the House. Each issue-specific note includes likely questions along with suggested answers, major talking points. There may be detailed background but most of the notes in this book give the basis for the rapid exchange in the House of Assembly and with reporters.
The Distribution List: House notes aren't limited to just the minister. They get wider circulation to ensure everyone is on the same wavelength.
Typically, the House Book notes would be distributed as follows:
- Minister
- Alternate Minister (a cabinet minister who may be required to fill in should the lead minister be absent)
- The Premier's Office (Distribution within this office varies by administration)
- Minister's Office (a copy for the permanent office file and the minister's personal records)
- Departmental Communications Director
- Cabinet Secretariat (Both for record-keeping and to ensure the Clerk and other key appointments are on the same wavelength as ministers.)
- Departmental Deputy Minister
It's highly unlikely that the breast screening issue didn't get a fairly large amount of discussion at the top floors of the East Block (8, 9 and 10) very early on and that the overall response wasn't discussed at those same levels early on, as well. The issue crosses over a number of departmental lines, including Justice (litigation liability) and Finance (cost of shipping test work out of province and possible costs to fix problems, plus liability costs).
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