Control of Essential Supplies Act 1973 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Powers of Controller
9. Power of Controller to enter premises
Feedback & supportFor the purposes of testing the accuracy of any record kept or return made or information given to the Controller under section 8 or of obtaining information or in any case where the Controller or any person authorised by him or her has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence under this Act has been committed, the Controller, or any person authorised in that behalf by the Controller in writing, after producing to the occupier the written authority —
Controller
“Controller” means the officer appointed to be Controller of Supplies under section 3 and includes a Deputy Controller of Supplies, an Assistant Controller of Supplies and any person to whom the Controller has delegated any of his or her powers, duties or functions in accordance with section 13, to the extent of that delegation;
may enter any premises belonging to, or in the occupation of, any person keeping or making or who has failed to keep or to make, any record or return or has failed to give any information or in which the Controller or the authorised person has reason to believe that any supplies, with respect to which a requisition under section 8 has been made, are kept, stored, manufactured or produced or in which he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence under this Act is being or has been committed; and (b)may carry out any inspections and examination (including the inspection and examination of books) that he or she may consider necessary and may seize and detain any books, documents or other things or supplies found in those premises which may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act.
Where, as a result of any inspection and examination made under subsection (1), there is any discrepancy between the quantity or quality of any supplies found and any record or return required to be kept or made or any information given in respect of those supplies, the person required to keep the record or to make the return or to give the information shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
Any person who obstructs or impedes the Controller or any person authorised by him or her in the lawful exercise of any of his or her powers under this section shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
offence under this Act
“offence under this Act” includes any contravention of or failure to comply with any order or regulation made under this Act and any contravention of or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of any licence or permit issued or authority granted under this Act or the regulations made thereunder and any failure to comply with any request or direction lawfully made or given thereunder;