(1)  Where the service of a contributor is broken for a period not exceeding –

(a) 6 weeks as the result of the resignation of that person from employment in an Agency; or

(b) 3 months as the result of the resignation of that person from employment in an Agency on becoming a candidate for election as a member of a House of Parliament; or

(c) 3 months for any other reason –

and that person requests in writing to the Board within 3 months after again becoming a permanent employee or being employed under a prescribed contract of employment, the Board may determine that the break does not affect the continuity of that person’s service.

(2)  If the Board certifies, under subregulation (1) , that the break does not affect the continuity of that person's service, that person may purchase a period of service which, but for subregulation (1) , would have constituted a break in that person's service as if it were leave without pay under regulation 39(3) or (4) .

(3)  This regulation has effect notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations.