8.—(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Board, give the Board such directions as he thinks fit as to the exercise by the Board of its functions under this Act or other written law.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), if it appears to the Minister to be requisite or expedient to do so —
(a)
on the occurrence of any public emergency, in the public interest or in the interests of public security, national defence, or relations with the government of another country; or
(b)
in order —
(i)
to discharge or facilitate the discharge of an obligation binding on the Government by virtue of its being a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement;
(ii)
to attain or facilitate the attainment of any other object the attainment of which is in the opinion of the Minister requisite or expedient in view of the Government being a member of such an organisation or a party to such an agreement; or
(iii)
to enable the Government to become a member of such an organisation or a party to such an agreement,
the Minister may, after consultation with the Board, give such directions to the Board as are necessary in the circumstances of the case.
(3) The Board shall give effect to any direction given to it under subsection (1) or (2) notwithstanding any other duty imposed on the Board by or under this Act or other written law.
(4) The Board shall not disclose any direction given to it under subsection (1) or (2) if the Minister notifies the Board that the Minister is of the opinion that the disclosure of the direction is against the public interest.
(5) If any doubt arises as to the existence of a public emergency or as to whether any act done under this section was in the public interest or in the interests of public security, national defence or relations with the government of another country, a certificate signed by the Minister shall be conclusive evidence of the matters stated therein.