Power of Secretary to agree to receive payment of expenses in instalments

Power of Secretary to agree to receive payment of expenses in instalments.— Instead of recovering expenses in the manner provided under section 538, the Secretary may, if he thinks fit, take an agreement from the person liable for the payment thereof, to pay the same in instalments of such amounts and at such intervals as will secure the payment of the whole amount due, with interest thereon at the rate of A [twelve percentage] per annum within a period of not more than five years.