8.—(1) Before making a compensation payment the compensator must apply to the Department for a certificate.
(2) Where the compensator applies for a certificate, the Department must—
(a)send to the compensator a written acknowledgment of receipt of the application; and
(b)issue the certificate before the end of the period of 4 weeks from the day on which the application is received.
(3) An application for a certificate is to be treated for the purposes of the Order as received on the day on which it is received by the Department, or if the application is received after normal business hours, or on a day which is not a normal business day, on the next such day.