Article 34.[21]
The Reichstag may set up Committees of Inquiry: it must do so if one-fifth of the members demand it. Such Committees shall in open session inquire into such evidence as they consider necessary, or the petitioners consider necessary. The public may be excluded by resolution of a two-thirds majority of the Committee of Inquiry. The Standing Orders shall regulate the procedure of the Committee and determine the number of its members.
The Courts and the Civil Service must submit any evidence demanded by these Committees; the Committees may demand to see their records.
The regulations of the Criminal Code apply to the taking of evidence by the Committees or by such authorities as they have instructed; nevertheless, the secrecy of the post office, of the letter, telegraph, and telephone services remains unaffected.
Article 35.[22]
The Reichstag shall appoint a Permanent Committee for Foreign Affairs; which Committee may sit during the recess, or after the election period has come to an end, or after the dissolution until the meeting of the new Reichstag. The sittings of such Committee are not public, unless the Committee itself decides on publicity by a two-thirds majority.
The Reichstag shall further appoint a Permanent Committee for the Protection of the Rights of the People's Representatives against the Government of the Realm for those periods during which it is out of session, and for the period following the termination of an election period.
Such Committees have the same rights as the Committees of Inquiry.
Article 36.
No member of the Reichstag or of a Landtag may at any time be made subject to judicial or administrative penalty, or may be made responsible outside the House, on account of his vote or on account of any utterances made in virtue of his office as deputy.