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National Assistance Act 1948, Section 52 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 February 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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(1)If any person—
(a)for the purpose of obtaining, either for himself or for another person, any benefit under . . . F1 Part III of this Act; or
(b)for the purpose of avoiding or reducing any liability under this Act,
makes any statement or representation which he knows to be false, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F2level 3 on the standard scale] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such imprisonment and such fine.
(2)Notwithstanding anything in any enactment, proceedings for an offence under this section may be begun at any time within three months from the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of . . . F1 the local authority concerned to justify a prosecution for the offence comes to the knowledge of the . . . F1 local authority, or within twelve months from the commission of the offence, whichever period is the longer.
(3)For the purposes of the last foregoing subsection, a certificate F1 of the local authority as to the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to the knowledge of . . . F1 the local authority, as the case may be, shall be conclusive proof thereof.
(4)In the application of this section to Scotland, for the references to evidence sufficient to justify a prosecution there shall be substituted references to evidence sufficient to justify a report to the Lord Advocate with a view to consideration of the question of prosecution.
Textual Amendments
F1Words repealed by Ministry of Social Security Act 1966 (c. 20), Sch. 8
F2Words substituted (E.W.) by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 52 amended by Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 (c. 46), s. 45(5)
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