(1)One or more persons may be appointed to act as assessors to assist the inquiry panel.
(2)The power to appoint assessors is exercisable—
(a)before the setting-up date, by the Minister;
(b)during the course of the inquiry, by the chairman (whether or not the Minister has appointed assessors).
(3)Before exercising his powers under subsection (2)(a) the Minister must consult the person he proposes to appoint, or has appointed, as chairman.
(4)A person may be appointed as an assessor only if it appears to the Minister or the chairman (as the case requires) that he has expertise that makes him a suitable person to provide assistance to the inquiry panel.
(5)The chairman may at any time terminate the appointment of an assessor, but only with the consent of the Minister in the case of an assessor appointed by the Minister.