(1)The Secretary of State may cause an inquiry to be held into any matter connected with the exercise by the Commission of any of its functions.
(2)Before an inquiry is begun, the Secretary of State may give a direction that it be held in private.
(3)Where no such direction has been given, the person holding the inquiry may decide to hold it, or any part of it, in private.
(4)Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) (powers in relation to local inquiries) apply in relation to an inquiry under this section as they apply in relation to a local inquiry under that section.
(5)The report of the person holding the inquiry is to be published, unless the Secretary of State considers that there are exceptional circumstances which make publication inappropriate.
(6)Publication is to be in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.