Page:Police (Property) Act 1897 (UKPGA Vict-60-61-30 qp).pdf/2

 Rh application of any money of which the owner cannot be ascertained, to all or any of the following purposes:—
 * (a) the expenses of executing the regulations;
 * (b) the payment of reasonable compensation to any person by whom the property has been delivered into the possession of the police;
 * (c) the making of payments for the benefit of discharged prisoners or of persons dependent on prisoners or discharged prisoners; or
 * (d) such other purposes as the Secretary of State may consider expedient.

(3.) Where the property is a perishable article or its custody involves unreasonable expense or inconvenience it may be sold at any time, but the proceeds of sale shall not be disposed of until they have remained in the possession of the police for a year. In any other case the property shall not be sold until it has remained in the possession of the police for a year.

(4.) The regulations may also provide for the investment of money and for the audit of accounts.

(5.) The regulations shall apply whether the property to which they relate has come into the possession of the police before or after the passing of this Act or the making of the regulations.

(6.) The regulations shall be laid before Parliament as soon as may be after they are made.

3.—(1.) This Act shall not extend to Scotland.

(2.) In the application of this Act to Ireland, the Chief Secretary shall be substituted for the Secretary of State.

(3.) Sections twenty-nine and thirty of the Metropolitan Police Courts Act, 1839, are hereby repealed.

(4.) This Act may be cited as the Police (Property) Act, 1897. Printed by and,, Esq., C.B., the Queen’s Printer of Acts of Parliament.