(1) The Bank of England Act 1998 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 15(1) (publication of Monetary Policy Committee minutes: usual rule) -

(a) for “After” substitute “As soon as reasonably practicable after”;

(b) omit the words from “before” to the end.

(3) In section 15(3) (publication of Monetary Policy Committee minutes: special cases) -

(a) for “before the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day of” substitute “as soon as reasonably practicable after”;

(b) for “before the end of the period of 6 weeks beginning with the day on which” substitute “as soon as reasonably practicable after”.

(4) In paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 (meetings of Monetary Policy Committee) -

(a) in sub-paragraph (1) for “once a month” substitute “8 times in each calendar year”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (1) insert -

“(1A) The Committee shall meet at least once in any 10 week period.”