Health Act 2009

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37)

3 (1) Schedule 1 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority: supplementary provision) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 5(1), after “this paragraph” insert “and paragraphs 5A and 5B”.

(3) After paragraph 5 insert—

“5A The Secretary of State may suspend a member from office as chairman, deputy chairman or other member of the Authority if it appears to him that one of the conditions in paragraph 5(5) is or may be satisfied in relation to the member.

5B(1) This paragraph applies where the Secretary of State decides to suspend a member under paragraph 5A.

(2) The Secretary of State must give notice to the member of the decision and the suspension takes effect on receipt by the member of the notice.

(3) A notice under subsection (2) is treated as being received by the member—

(a) in a case where it is delivered in person or left at the member’s proper address, at the time at which it is delivered or left;

(b) in a case where it is sent by post to the member at that address, on the third day after the day on which it was posted.

(4) The initial period of suspension must not exceed 6 months.

(5) The Secretary of State may review the member’s suspension at any time.

(6) The Secretary of State must review the member’s suspension if requested in writing by the member to do so, but need not carry out a review less than 3 months after the beginning of the initial period of suspension.

(7) Following a review the Secretary of State may—

(a) revoke the suspension, or

(b) suspend the member for another period of not more than 6 months from the expiry of the current period.

(8) The Secretary of State must revoke the suspension if at any time—

(a) he decides that neither of the conditions mentioned in paragraph 5(5) is satisfied, or

(b) he decides that either of those conditions is satisfied but does not remove the member from office as chairman, deputy chairman or other member of the Authority.”