Access to Personal Files Act 1987

1 Obligation to give access etc.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and regulations under section 3, any authority keeping records containing personal information which is accessible personal information for the purposes of this Act shall have such obligations as regards access to, and the accuracy of, that information as are imposed by the regulations.

(2) Where an individual is, or would but for any exemption be, entitled under section 21 of the [1984 c. 35.] Data Protection Act 1984 to be supplied with information constituting personal data of which he is the subject no obligation arises under this Act to give him access to that information.

(3) Section 106(5) of the [1985 c. 68.] Housing Act 1985 (duty of landlord authority to give access to certain information) shall not apply in respect of any information recorded by a landlord authority in respect of which the authority is under an obligation to give access under this Act.

(4) Section 27(3) of the [1980 c. 52.] Tenants' Rights, etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 (entitlement of applicant for housing to inspect certain records) shall not apply in respect of any information recorded by a body mentioned in subsection (1) of that section in respect of which the body is under an obligation to give access under this Act.

(5) The obligation to give access to information under this Act applies, subject to any exemptions or restrictions prescribed in the regulations, notwithstanding any enactment or rule of law prohibiting or restricting the disclosure, or authorising the withholding, of information.