31.—(1) The Board may hold or cause to be held such inquiries as the Board considers necessary for the purposes of this Act, and the Board, and, if authorised in that behalf by the Board, the person appointed by the Board to hold any such inquiry shall have power to take evidence on oath and for that purpose to administer oaths, and may also by order require any person, subject to the payment or tender of the reasonable expenses of his attendance, to attend as a witness and give evidence or to produce documents at such inquiry, and if any person fails without reasonable excuse to comply with any of the provisions of such order he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

(2) Notice of any inquiry to be held for the purposes of this Act may be given and published in accordance with such general or special directions as the Board may give.