Counter-Inflation Act 1973

Supplemental provisions

3 (1) For the purposes of paragraph 2 above " the appropriate Agency " means the Agency which in the opinion of the Minister is, in the circumstances of the case, the Agency which should consider the reference or, as the case may be, carry out the instruction.

(2) A question referred, or instruction given, to one of the Agencies under paragraph 2 above may be framed in any way whatsoever, and in particular may be concerned with a specified region or locality or with named persons.

(3) The Minister referring any question, or giving an instruction, to one of the Agencies under paragraph 2 above may at any time—

(a) withdraw the question or instruction, or

(b) vary it by referring a further question or, as the case may be, by giving a further instruction, under paragraph 2 above.

(4) In framing any report under paragraph 2 above the Agency concerned shall have regard to the need for excluding, so far as that is practicable, matter which relates to the private affairs of a person and the publication of which would or might in the opinion of the Agency prejudicially affect the interests of that person ; but for the purposes of the law relating to defamation, absolute privilege shall attach to any report made by either Agency.