7(1)Where the Letchworth Commissioner proposes to conduct an investigation he shall afford to the Heritage Foundation, and to any person who is alleged to have taken or authorised the action complained of, an opportunity to comment on any allegations contained in the complaint.
(2)Every such investigation shall be conducted in private, but except as aforesaid the procedure for conducting an investigation shall be such as the Letchworth Commissioner considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case; and (without prejudice to that generality) the Letchworth Commissioner may obtain information from such persons and in such manner, and make such inquiries, as he thinks fit, and may determine whether any person may be represented (by counsel or solicitor or otherwise) in the investigation.
(3)The Letchworth Commissioner may, if he thinks fit, require the Heritage Foundation to pay to the person by whom the complaint was made, and to any other person who attends or furnishes information for the purposes of an investigation conducted by the Letchworth Commissioner—
(a)in respect of the expenses properly incurred by them,
(b)by way of compensation for the loss of their time,
such reasonable sums as may be agreed between the Heritage Foundation and the person to whom the payment is to be made or, in default of such agreement, as may be determined by the Letchworth Commissioner.
(4)The conduct of an investigation under this Act shall not affect any action taken by the Heritage Foundation, or any power or duty of the Heritage Foundation to take further action with respect to any matters subject to the investigation.