Transport Act 1985

4 Inquiries held by traffic commissioners

For section 54 of the 1981 Act (procedure of traffic commissioners) there shall be substituted the following section—

“54 Inquiries held by traffic commissioners.

(1) A traffic commissioner may, at such places as appear to him to be convenient, hold such inquiries as he thinks fit in connection with the exercise of his functions.

(2) Where, as respects the proposed exercise of his powers on any occasion, a traffic commissioner receives a request for an inquiry from two or more persons he may hold a single inquiry in response to those requests.

(3) Subject to any provision made by regulations, any inquiry held under this section shall be public.

(4) Where a traffic commissioner proposes to hold an inquiry for the purpose of considering any application or proposal, he shall publish notice of the inquiry in the prescribed manner.

(5) Where a traffic commissioner holds an inquiry he may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed and subject to any provision made under subsection (6) below, make such order as he thinks fit as to the payment, by such party to the inquiry as he thinks fit, of costs incurred by him or by the Secretary of State in connection with the holding of the inquiry.

(6) Regulations may make provision, in relation to orders under subsection (5) above, as to—

(a) the method of calculating the amount of any costs incurred as mentioned in that subsection ; and

(b) the maximum amount which may be ordered to be paid under such an order.

(7) Any amount so ordered to be paid by any person may be recoverable from him—

(a) in England and Wales, as a debt due to the Crown; or

(b) in Scotland, by the Secretary of State.

(8) Information with respect to any particular trade or business which is given at any such inquiry while admission to the inquiry is restricted in accordance with regulations shall not be disclosed, so long as that trade or business continues to be carried on, except—

(a) with the consent of the person for the time being carrying it on ;

(b) for the purpose of the discharge by any person of his functions under any enactment mentioned in subsection (9) below; or

(c) with a view to the institution of, or otherwise for the purposes of, any legal proceedings pursuant to or arising out of any such enactment (including proceedings before the Transport Tribunal);

and any person who discloses any information in contravention of this subsection shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(9) The enactments referred to in subsection (8)(b) and (c) above are—

(a) sections 12 to 21 of this Act; and

(b) sections 24 to 28 of the Transport Act 1985.

(10) The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument amend subsection (9) above by adding a reference to an enactment or by removing any such reference; and any statutory instrument made in exercise of the power conferred by this subsection shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”