17.—(1) The Commission shall designate a member of its staff as a deputy member of the Commission (“deputy commissioner”) who shall assume and carry out all of the functions of the Commission in the absence of all members of the Commission or when the membership of the Commission is vacant.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), a designation under subsection (1) shall be for a period not exceeding 12 months and on the expiry of the period the Commission shall—

(a) renew the designation of the member of staff concerned, or

(b) designate another member of staff to be the deputy commissioner.

(3) A designation under this section may be revoked at any time by the Commission.