15(1)Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public.E+W+S
(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 Committee by the [F1Office of Rail Regulation] or the [F2Stractegic Rail Authority] would be disclosed in breach of the obligation of confidence;
(b)the Committee 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; or
(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,
where public disclosure of that matter would or might, in the opinion of the committee, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.
(3)The Committee shall give such notice—
(a)of any meeting of the Committee 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
F1Words in Sch. 18 para. 15 substituted (5.7.2004) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), Sch. 2 para. 19(q); S.I. 2004/827, art. 4(g)
F2Words in Sch. 18 para. 15(2)(a) substituted (1.2.2001) by 2000 c. 38, s. 252, Sch. 27 para. 62(6); S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 Pt. II)