113E+W+SAfter section 135 there shall be inserted—
“135A Power of the Environment Agency to acquire information for the purpose of its functions in relation to special category effluent.
(1)For the purpose of the discharge of its functions under this Chapter, the Environment Agency may, by notice in writing served on any person, require that person to furnish such information specified in the notice as that Agency reasonably considers it needs, in such form and within such period following service of the notice, or at such time, as is so specified.
(2)A person who—
(a)fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement imposed under subsection (1) above, or
(b)in furnishing any information in compliance with such a requirement, makes any statement which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) above shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.”