Section 2 Appointment of panels.

Subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, the Commission may appoint for any locality a panel for the purposes of this section consisting of such number of persons, not exceeding nine, as they consider appropriate, one of whom shall act as chairman.

Before making an appointment under subsection (1) above, the Commission may afford to such persons or organisations as they think fit an opportunity to suggest the name of any person who would in their view be an appropriate person for such an appointment.

Where the Commission have sought suggestions as mentioned in subsection (1A) above, they shall consider any such suggestions before making an appointment under subsection (1) above.

F2the Commission may appoint a member of the Commission or a member of the Commission’s staff to act as observer to the panel for the purpose of sitting with the panel at any meeting and of taking part in their discussions and of informing the Commission of information arising durjng and decisions taken at such meetings; such an observer shall not be a member of the panel.

The Commission may refer to any such panel any matter relating to the functions of the Commission, and it shall be the duty of the panel to advise the Commission on the matter.

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