Order of procedure at hearings

The order of procedure at hearings shall be determined by the commissioner and furnished to the parties at the beginning of the hearing. In a case where the opening portion has already been submitted in written form as provided by these rules, the hearing may open with cross-examination of persons who have given written testimony. In the event any person has given written testimony and is not available for such cross-examination at the time and place directed by the department, all of such written testimony may be discarded and removed from the record at the direction of the department.