(1)The traffic commissioners may for any purpose, if they so think fit, hold public sittings at such places as appear to them convenient.
(2)For the purpose of hearing and determining applications for the grant and backing of road service licences the traffic commissioners shall exercise their powers under the foregoing subsection, except that it shall not be obligatory on them to do so for the hearing or determination of an application for the grant or backing of a road service licence where it appears from the particulars submitted that the services which it is proposed to provide will not be operated on more than six days in any period of twelve months and that passengers will not be carried on a journey included in those services otherwise than at day return fares.
(3)Not less than two commissioners shall be present at the hearing of an application, and if where an application is heard by two commissioners only there is a difference of opinion between them, the matter shall be reheard and determined by all the commissioners.
(4)The traffic commissioners may delegate to any one of their members any of their functions other than those requiring to be discharged at a public sitting, and other than those of advising the Minister on an order made by a local authority under section thirty-nine of this Act or by a local authority in England or Wales under section eighty-three thereof.
(5)The two last foregoing subsections do not apply to the Metropolitan Traffic Area.