In section 10 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8) (the Consumer Panel), after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A)

The Secretary of State may direct the Authority to appoint as a member of the Consumer Panel a person specified by the Secretary of State who—

(a)

is a non-executive member of the National Consumer Council, and

(b)

is nominated for the purposes of this subsection by the National Consumer Council after consultation with the Authority.

(5B)

Only one person may, at any time, be a member of the Consumer Panel appointed in accordance with a direction under subsection (5A); but that does not prevent the Authority appointing as a member of the Consumer Panel any person who is also a member of the National Consumer Council.

(5C)

A person appointed in accordance with a direction under subsection (5A) ceases to be a member of the Panel on ceasing to be a non-executive member of the National Consumer Council.”