Making of false statements etc.
23.—(1) If any person, in giving any information or making any application under or for the purposes of any provision of these Regulations, makes any statement which he knows to be false in a material particular, he is guilty of an offence and shall be liable –
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
(2) No proceedings shall be instituted in Northern Ireland in respect of an offence under this regulation except by or with the consent of the Department or the Director of Public Prosecutions.