Cap. 499 Art. 18Disclosure of interests. Cap. 377.

(1) Where the Chief Executive Officer or a member of the staff of the Authority, or a consultant, advisor or other person engaged by the Authority, has any interest in, or material to, any matter which falls to be considered by the Authority, he shall -

(a) disclose to the Authority the nature of his interest at the first meeting of the Authority after such interest is acquired or in advance of any consideration of the matter, whichever is the earlier;

(b) neither influence nor seek to influence a decision in relation to such matter; and

(c) take no part in any consideration of such matter.

(2) Where a question arises as to whether or not a course of conduct, if pursued by a person, would constitute failure by him to comply with the requirements of sub-article (1), the question shall be determined by the Authority and the decision and its motivation shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting during which the decision was taken.

(3) Where a disclosure is made to the Authority pursuant to sub-article (1), particulars of the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the relative meeting.

(4) Where a person to whom sub-article (1) applies fails to make the required disclosure, the Authority shall decide the appropriate action to be taken which may include the removal from office or termination of the contract of the person concerned.

(5) Save as may be otherwise required or permitted for the purposes of this Act, or in the course of a prosecution for an offence committed against any of the provisions of this Act or of any other law or of any regulations made thereunder, the Authority and its staff shall, in carrying out their functions or duties under this Act, be bound by the provisions of the Professional Secrecy

Act and shall not divulge any information about any applicant or any benefits granted to any applicant without the prior written consent of such applicant or as otherwise permitted by law.