(1) The Secretary may, after receiving a complaint under section 79, decide--
(a) to deal with the complaint in accordance with this Division, or
(b) to
take no further action under this Division in relation to the complaint.
(2)
If the Secretary decides to deal with the complaint, the Secretary may--
(a)
convene a conference to hear submissions in relation to the complaint, or
(b)
invite written submissions from the licensee for the licensed premises to
which the complaint relates, and from such other persons as the Secretary
considers appropriate, and make a decision in relation to the complaint
without convening a conference.
(3) A conference, if convened, may deal with
more than one complaint.
(a) that
the evidence given in support of the complaint would support a complaint
against the other licensed premises, or
(b) that, assuming that the complaint
is shown to be justified, action taken in relation to the licensed premises
the subject of the complaint will be ineffective unless similar action is
taken in relation to the other licensed premises.
(5) Any licensed premises
in respect of which a complaint is extended as referred to in subsection (4)
is, for the purposes of this Division, taken to be the subject of a complaint
under this Division.
(6) If, in relation to any such extended complaint, a
conference is not convened, the Secretary must invite written submissions from
the licensee for the licensed premises that are the subject of the extended
complaint before making a decision in relation to the complaint.
(7) If a
conference is convened in relation to a complaint--
(b) the Secretary is not to make
a decision in relation to the complaint unless each complainant and licensee
who is present at the conference is given a reasonable opportunity to be
heard.
(8) A conference under this section is to be presided over by the
Secretary and the procedure at the conference is to be determined by the
Secretary.
(9) Nothing in this section prevents the Secretary from taking
other action in relation to a complaint under this Division or in relation to
licensed premises that are the subject of a complaint under this Division.