Benefit Associations Act 1958

The Minister may investigate or cause to be investigated the income, expenditure, assets, liabilities, transactions and management of a benefit association, or any other matter arising in the course of the business of any such association.

For the purpose of any such investigation the Minister may appoint persons to assist him or act on his behalf. Any person so appointed is in this section called an authorised person.

For the purpose of any investigation being made or about to be made under this Act, the Minister or an authorised person may request a benefit association or a director or officer of a benefit association to supply him, within a time specified by him, with any information relating to the business or transactions of the association. An association or person shall comply with any such request.

An authorised person may—

enter any building or place where the books of account or other records of a benefit association are or are suspected to be; and

examine any such books or records; and

make copies of any matters recorded in any such books or records.

A benefit association shall when requested by the Minister or an authorised person to do so forthwith produce its books of account and records or any of them for examination by the Minister or authorised person.

Any person having the possession or control of any books of account or records of a benefit association shall when requested by the Minister or an authorised person forthwith produce those books of account or records for examination by the Minister or authorised person.

A person shall not hinder the Minister or an authorised person in doing any act which he is authorised by this section to do.