103.Section 47 inserts a new paragraph 19F into Schedule 1 to the 1996 Act. Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) of new paragraph 19F allow persons to refuse to disclose documents or information on grounds of legal professional privilege or banker confidentiality, (other than a duty of confidentiality owed to the landlord or its subsidiary or associate).
104.Sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) set out the liabilities relating to the two offences related to the provision of documents or information (see section 45 of this Measure). A person guilty of an offence of failing to comply with an inspector’s requirement to provide documents or information is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000). A person guilty of intentionally altering, suppressing or destroying a document is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (currently £5,000) or, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for up to two years, or a fine, or both.
105Sub-paragraph (5) provides that proceedings for these offences may only be brought by or with the consent of either the Welsh Ministers or the Director of Public Prosecutions.