§ 3 (1) The members of a public benefit organisation are to be individuals who—
- (a) live in the area specified for the purpose in the constitution ("the public constituency"), or
- (b) are employed by the organisation ("the staff constituency").
§ (2) The constitution may also provide for the public constituency to comprise individuals who have received goods or services commissioned or provided by the Primary Care Trust as patients (including individuals attending as the carer of a patient).
(3) The constitution may also provide for the staff constituency to comprise NHS professionals who provide services to the Primary Care Trust or who a self-employed contractor or in a self-employed contract with the Primary Care Trust.
(4) Subparagraph (1)(a) does not apply to a person who is eligible for membership of the staff constituency.
4 The constitution is to require a minimum number of members of each constituency.
5 (1) A person may not be a member of a public benefit organisation unless he has agreed to pay a sum not exceeding £l to the organisation.
(2) A person may not be a member of a public benefit organisation if—
- (a) he has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors,
- (b) he has within the preceding five years been convicted in the British Islands of any offence if a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of three months or more (without the option of a fine) was imposed on him.
§ (3) The constitution may make further provision as to the circumstances in which a person may not be a member.