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General provisions as to prosecutions under the Acts.
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20.—(1) Proceedings for an offence under the Acts (including this Act) or under regulations made under the Acts shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Minister or by an officer authorised in that behalf by special or general directions of the Minister.
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(2) A prosecution for an offence under the Acts (including this Act) or under regulations made under the Acts may be brought at the suit of the Minister.
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(3) Notwithstanding any provision in any Act specifying the period within which summary proceedings may be commenced, proceedings in respect of an offence under the Acts (including this Act) or under regulations made under the Acts may be commenced at any time within the period of three months from the date on which evidence, sufficient in the opinion of the Minister to justify a prosecution for the offence, comes to his knowledge, or within the period of twelve months after the commission of the offence, whichever period last expires.
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(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) of this section, a certificate, sealed with the official seal of the Minister, as to the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence thereof.
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(5) This section shall have effect as respects proceedings in relation to offences committed after the commencement of this Act.
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