(1) On receipt of an application for the grant of a licence under section 7, the licensing officer may, after holding such inquiry as he deems fit, grant a licence to the applicant having regard to the following factors, namely:--
         (a) the experience of the applicant with respect to trade in antiquities;
         (b) the village, town or city where the applicant intends to carry on business;
         (c) the number of persons already engaged in the business of selling, or offering for sale of, antiquities in the said village, town or city; and
         (d) such other factors as may be prescribed:
     Provided that no licence shall be granted to the applicant if he is convicted of an offence punishable under the Antiquities (Export Control) Act, 1947 (31 of 1947) unless a period of ten years has elapsed since the date of the conviction.
     (2) Every licence granted under this section shall be on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
     (3) Every licence granted under this section shall be for such period, subject to such conditions and in such form and shall contain such particulars, as may be prescribed.
     (4) No application for the grant of a licence made under section 7 shall be rejected unless the applicant has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter