Page:Inquiries Act 2007.pdf/9

Rh Composition of committee

10.—(1) A committee of inquiry shall consist of one or more persons (at least one of whom shall be a person who is qualified to be a District Judge).

(2) Where a committee consists of more than one person, the Minister shall appoint one of the members to be the chairman.

(3) Where a committee consists of one member only, he shall be vested with the powers of the chairman.

(4) The Minister may, from time to time, add to the members of any such committee.

(5) The Minister may appoint a person to replace any member—
 * (a) who has died or resigned; or
 * (b) whom the Minister is satisfied—
 * (i) is incapacitated by reason of physical or mental disability; or
 * (ii) is unwilling, unable or unfit to discharge the functions of a member.

(6) When a new member has been appointed under subsection (4) or (5), it shall not be necessary for any evidence which may have been taken before the committee prior to such appointment to be retaken.

(7) A member may resign from his office at any time by notice in writing to the Minister.

(8) Every member appointed under this Part shall, so long as he is acting as such member, be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Penal Code (Cap. 224), and every inquiry under this Part shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of the Penal Code.

Change of Minister

11. No appointment made under this Part shall lapse by reason of, or be otherwise affected by, the death, absence, resignation, retirement or removal of the Minister who made the appointment.