Notwithstanding anything contained inF3 Article 19(1) of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, proceedings for an offence under this Act [F4, other than under section 4, 7 or 70,] may be commenced at any time within the period of six months from the date on which evidence, sufficient in the opinion of the Ministry to justify a prosecution for the offence, comes to its knowledge, or within the period of twelve months after the commission of the offence, whichever period last expires.

For the purposes of subsection (1), a certificate purporting to be signed by the Minister or a secretary or assistant secretary of the Ministry as to the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to the knowledge of the Ministry shall be conclusive evidence thereof.