Operational matters
Section 16 – Validity of things done
35.To ensure that the Commission is always able to perform its functions, section 16 provides that the validity of any of its actions is not adversely impacted by a vacancy of membership, a defect in the appointment of a member or any resignation or removal under section 13 of the Act.
Section 17 – Committees
36.Subsection (1) allows the Commission to set up committees for any purpose relating to the functions of the Commission, the Land Commissioners or the Tenant Farming Commissioner. Subsection (2) authorises the Commission to delegate the exercise of its functions to any committee but the Commission will remain responsible for the exercise of its functions notwithstanding any such delegation of the exercise of its functions (subsection (3)). Similarly, section 23(1)(a) authorises the Land Commissioners to delegate the exercise of their functions to any committee and section 25(1)(b) authorises the Tenant Farming Commissioner to delegate the exercise of the Tenant Farming Commissioner’s functions to any committee.
37.Subsection (4) enables persons who are not members of the Commission to be appointed to be a member of any committee established.
38.Subsection (5) allows for the payment of remuneration or allowances to any person who is not a member of the Commission who is appointed to be a member of any committee established.
39.Subsection (6) provides that any committee established must comply with any directions given to it by the Commission.
Section 18 – Regulation of procedure
40.Subsection (1) imposes a duty on the Commission to establish and maintain a register of interests for its members. Subsection (2) clarifies that, with the exception of the duty in subsection (1), the Commission is free to regulate its own internal procedures.
