Hearing procedure
8.—(1) The Secretary of State shall determine the procedure at the hearing.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall determine—
(a)the order in which oral representations are to be made;
(b)the amount of time to be allowed for making any oral representation;
(c)the matters in respect of which there may be oral questioning by persons other than the person making the representation; and
(d)the amount of time to be allowed for such oral questioning.
(3) The Secretary of State shall be responsible for the oral questioning of a person giving evidence except where the Secretary of State thinks that the oral questioning of a person giving evidence by another person is necessary in order to ensure—
(a)adequate testing of any representation; or
(b)that a party has a fair chance to put their case.
(4) The Secretary of State may proceed with a hearing in the absence of a party.
(5) The Secretary of State may from time to time adjourn a hearing and, if the date, time and place of the adjourned hearing are announced at the hearing before the adjournment, no further notice shall be required.