Section 13 Information— offences.

After section 14 of the 1991 Act there shall be inserted—

“ Information —offences.

14A

(1)

This section applies to—

(a)

persons who are required to comply with regulations under section 4(4) or 7(5); and

(b)

persons specified in regulations under section 14(1)(a).

(2)

Such a person is guilty of an offence if, pursuant to a request for information under or by virtue of those regulations—

(a)

he makes a statement or representation which he knows to be false; or

(b)

he provides, or knowingly causes or knowingly allows to be provided, a document or other information which he knows to be false in a material particular.

(3)

Such a person is guilty of an offence if, following such a request, he fails to comply with it.

(4)

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (3) to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply.

(5)

A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.”