In making its decision, the tribunal will have before it any submissions made by the applicant and the material supplied by the commissioner in the course of the investigation. Before deciding on the appeal the tribunal, if it considers that it needs further information on certain aspects of the case, may use its powers under section 16(6) of the Refugee Act 1996 to request the commissioner to make further inquiries and to furnish the tribunal with such further information as the tribunal considers necessary within such period as the tribunal may specify.