Cap. 511 Art. 12Rightofpreference exercisable by Government.

(1) In case of the sale of any document, publication, record or work, which in the opinion of the Minister, following consultation with the Council and the National Librarian, has bibliographical or historical importance, the Government shall have the right of acquiring the same in preference to all other persons on equal conditions.

(2) Such right of preference shall be exercised by the National Librarian by means of a judicial act served on the purchaser within two months from the date on which the vendor or the purchaser gives notice to the Minister, by means of a judicial act or a registered letter, of the sale indicating the name and address of the purchaser and the conditions of the sale, or, if no such notice is given, within six months on which it shall come to the knowledge of the Minister that a sale has been effected.

(3) Any person who is responsible for any act or omission having the effect of frustrating the exercise of the right of preference appertaining to the Government under this article shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall be liable for the penalties contemplated in this Act.