Paragraph 2 I1

The Opticians Act 1989 is amended as follows.

In section 1 (constitution and functions of the General Optical Council), for subsection (2A) substitute—

“(2A)

The over-arching objective of the Council in exercising their functions is the protection of the public.

(2B)

The pursuit by the Council of their over-arching objective involves the pursuit of the following objectives—

(a)

to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and well-being of the public;

(b)

to promote and maintain public confidence in the professions regulated under this Act;

(c)

to promote and maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of those professions; and

(d)

to promote and maintain proper standards and conduct for business registrants.”

In section 5A (Registration Appeals Committee), at the end insert—

“(5)

In exercising a function under section 13K, the Registration Appeals Committee must have regard to the over-arching objective.”

In section 5C (Fitness to Practise Committee), at the end insert—

“(5)

In exercising a function under section 13F or 13H, the Fitness to Practise Committee must have regard to the over-arching objective.”

In section 13D (allegations), after subsection (7) insert—

“(7A)

In deciding whether to give a warning under subsection (7), the Investigation Committee must have regard to the over-arching objective.”

In section 36 (interpretation), at the end insert—

“(3)

References in this Act to the over-arching objective are to the over-arching objective of the Council under section 1(2A) (read with section 1(2B)).”