7.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a member may terminate its participation in the Scheme on 31st March in any year by giving not less than 12 months' notice in writing to that effect to the Secretary of State.
(2) A member’s participation in the Scheme may not be terminated, by notice under paragraph (1)–
(a)where its membership takes effect on a date on or after 1st April 1999 and not later than 31st March 2000, before 31st March 2002; and
(b)in any other case, before the expiry of three consecutive membership years beginning on the date on which, by virtue of regulation 6(6), its membership takes effect.
(3) Where–
(a)any payment which a member is, by virtue of regulation 8 (contributions under the Scheme), liable to make to the Secretary of State has remained unpaid for a period of not less than 28 days beginning on the date on which the payment should have been made,
(b)a member has failed to provide, within 28 days, or such further period as the Secretary of State may in writing allow, of being requested to do so, any information which it is required by virtue of regulation 10 (provision of information) to provide, or
(c)the continued membership of any member would, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, be detrimental to the efficient administration of the Scheme or to the interests of other members,
the Secretary of State may give notice in writing to that member that its participation in the Scheme is to cease on a date falling not less than 28 days after that on which the notice is given, and that member’s participation in the Scheme shall, unless the Secretary of State in writing withdraws the notice before that date, be terminated on that date.