4Extension of procedure for evidence by certificate
In section 19 of the [1984 c. 39.] Video Recordings Act 1984 (evidence by certificate) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsections—
“(3A)In any proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland for an offence under this Act, a certificate purporting to be signed by a person authorised in that behalf by the Secretary of State and stating—
(a)that he has examined the record maintained in pursuance of arrangements made by the designated authority, and
(b)that the record shows that, on the date specified in the certificate, no classification certificate had been issued in respect of a video work having a particular title,
shall be admissible as evidence of the fact that, on that date, no classification certificate had been issued in respect of a work of that title.
(3B)In any proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland for an offence under this Act, a certificate purporting to be signed by a person authorised in that behalf by the Secretary of State and stating—
(a)that he has examined the record maintained in pursuance of arrangements made by the designated authority, and
(b)that the record shows that, on the date specified in the certificate under this subsection, a classification certificate was issued in respect of a video work having a particular title and that a document identified by the certificate under this subsection is a copy of the classification certificate so issued,
shall be admissible as evidence of the fact that, on that date, a classification certificate in terms of the document so identified was issued in respect of a work of that title.”