104. The representative of Australia said that under the joint proposal the role of the Secretariat would include the following: receiving the information notified by each Member and placing it on a readily accessible and searchable register; distributing the information to Members concerning changes either by notifications or withdrawals; ensuring that the register was maintained as an accessible searchable and discrete source of information; and providing basic information to Members on procedural aspects of notifications and withdrawals. These were the functions of the Secretariat that would be involved in the joint proposal. However, it would be up to Members to ensure that the information they had notified to the system had been accurately recorded and was kept up-to-date. So, there would be a role for the Secretariat, but, as had been stressed at the meetings, the register must be kept as least burdensome as possible.
