The appropriate Minister may cause an inquiry to be held into any matter connected with the functions of an adoption agency.

Before an inquiry is begun, the appropriate Minister may direct that it is to be held in private.

Where no direction has been given, the person holding the inquiry may if he thinks fit hold it, or any part of it, in private.

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.