F2The Secretary of State for Education and Science shall have an official seal which shall be authenticated by the signature of F2the Secretary of State for Education and Science or of a secretary to F2the Department of the Secretary of State or of any person authorised by F2the Secretary of State for the Education and Science to authenticate the seal.

The seal of F2the Secretary of State for Education and Science shall be officially and judicially noticed, and every document purporting to be an instrument made or issued by F2the Secretary of State for Education and Science and either to be sealed with the seal of F2the Secretary of State for Education and Science authenticated in the manner provided by this section, or to be signed by a secretary to F2the Department of the Secretary of State or by any other officer of F2the Department of the Secretary of State authorised to sign it, shall in any legal proceedings be deemed to be so made or issued without further proof, unless the contrary is shown.

A certificate signed by F2the Secretary of State for Education and Science certifying that any instrument purporting to be made or issued by him was so made or issued shall be conclusive evidence of the fact certified.

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