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

“14A Information —offences.

(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.”