Mines and Quarries Act 1954

156 Defence available to person charged with offence not committed personally.E+W+S

In any proceedings under this Act which, by virtue of subsection (1) F1. . . of section one hundred and fifty-two of this Act, are taken against a person in respect of the contravention by a person other than himself of—

(a)a provision of the Act, of an order made thereunder or of regulations, being a provision which expressly imposes on that other person or on persons of a class to which, at the time of the contravention, he belonged, a duty or requirement or expressly prohibits him or persons of such a class or all persons from doing a specified act; or

(b)a prohibition, restriction or requirement which by virtue of a notice served under or by virtue of this Act by an inspector is expressly imposed on that other person;

[F2(c)a requirement or prohibition imposed by or under health and safety regulations which expressly apply to all mines F3. . ., any class of mine F3. . . or a particular mine F3. . . being a requirement expressly imposed on that person or on persons of a class to which, at the time of the contravention, he belonged or a prohibition expressly imposed on him or on persons of such class or on all persons from doing a specified act;]

it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he used all due diligence to secure compliance with the provision, prohibition, restriction or requirement, as the case may be.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 156 omitted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/2024, regs. 1(1), 47(1)(2), Sch. 2 Pt. II

F3Words in s. 156(c) omitted (1.1.2000) by S.I. 1999/2024, regs. 1(1), 47(1)(2), Sch. 2 Pt. II