Cap. 542 Art. 10Conflict of interest. Cap. 377.

(1) Where a member of the staff of the Council, or a consultant, advisor, board member, member of an expert group, or other person engaged by the Council, has any interest in any matter which falls to be considered by the Council, he shall -

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

(b) not influence or 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 Board 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 Board 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 Board 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, the Council shall, in carrying out the functions or duties under this Act, be bound by the provisions of the Professional Secrecy Act and shall not divulge any information obtained in the course of the discharge of its duties unless permission has been obtained from the Board.