Section 139B | Powers of investigation ^F1F2

(1)A person authorised under section 139A(1) above—

(a)has a right of access at all reasonable times to any document relating to the administration of benefit;

(b)is entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any such document such information and explanation as he thinks necessary; and

(c)is entitled, if he thinks it necessary, to require any such person to produce any such document or to attend before him in person to give such information or explanation.

(2)A person authorised under section 139A(1) above is entitled to require any officer or member of an authority or any person involved in the administration of benefit for an authority—

(a)to give him such information and explanation relating to the administration of benefit as he thinks necessary; and

(b)if he thinks it necessary, to require any such person to attend before him in person to give the information or explanation.

(3)A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) or (2) above is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4)A person authorised under section 139A(1) above may—

(a)require any document or information which is to be given to him under subsection (1) or (2) above to be given in any form reasonably specified by him; and

(b)take copies of any document produced to him.

(5)In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.