Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 6 Schedule 1: Alteration of Assembly Electoral Regions Paragraph 4(6)
586.The person appointed to hold the local inquiry has the powers to summon witnesses that are set out in sub-section 250(2) of the Local Government Act 1972.
587.The person holding the inquiry may issue a summons requiring someone to attend the inquiry at a particular time and place, and to give evidence or produce documents of a specified nature. The documents must be ones which are in his custody or control, and which relate to any matter which is in issue at the inquiry.
588.The person holding the inquiry can take evidence on oath, and may administer the oath.
589.Witnesses who have been summoned to attend must have their expenses paid.
590.Sub-section 250(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 also applies to inquiries held under this paragraph, and this creates offences about deliberately disobeying summonses, and deliberately altering, suppressing, concealing, or destroying evidence.
591.The offences are summary only. The maximum fine for the offences is level 3 on the standard scale, or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.