Railways Act 1993

6 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, meetings of the [F1 Rail Passengers’ Council] shall be open to the public.

(2) The public shall be excluded during any item of business where—

(a) it is likely, were members of the public to be present during that item, that information furnished in confidence to the [F1 Rail Passengers’ Council] by the Regulator or the [F2 Authority] would be disclosed in breach of the obligation of confidence;

(b) the [F1 Rail Passengers’ Council] have resolved that, by reason of the confidential nature of the item or for other special reasons stated in the resolution, it is desirable in the public interest that the public be excluded;

(c) it is likely, were members of the public to be present during that item, that there would be disclosed to them—

(i) any matter which relates to the affairs of an individual, or

(ii) any matter which relates specifically to the affairs of a particular body of persons, whether corporate or unincorporate, [F3 or

(d) the circumstances are such as are specified in, or determined by a resolution of the Rail Passengers’ Council in accordance with, an order made by the Secretary of State.]

where public disclosure of that matter would or might, in the opinion of the [F1 Rail Passengers’ Council], seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.

(3) The [F1 Rail Passengers’ Council] shall give such notice—

(a) of any meeting of the [F1 Rail Passengers’ Council] which is open to the public, and

(b) of the business to be taken at that meeting (other than items during which the public is to be excluded),

as they consider appropriate for the purpose of bringing the meeting to the attention of interested members of the public.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 3 para. 6(1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a) substituted (1.2.2001) by 2000 c. 38, ss. 227, Sch. 22 para. 13(5); S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 2 Pt. II)

F2 Word in Sch. 3 para. 6(2)(a) substituted (1.2.2001) by 2000 c. 38, s. 252, Sch. 27 para. 47; S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 2 Pt. II)

F3 Sch. 3 para. 6(2)(d) and the word immediately preceding it inserted (1.2.2001) by 2000 c. 38, s. 229, Sch. 23 para. 7; S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to savings and transitional provisions in Sch. 2 Pt. II)