18In Schedule 4 to the 1986 Act (supplementary provisions relating to statutory maternity pay) after paragraph 8 there shall be inserted—
“8A(1)Regulations may make provision requiring an employer in prescribed circumstances to furnish information in connection with the making of a claim by a woman who is or has been his employee for—
(a)a maternity allowance;
(b)sickness benefit;
(c)an invalidity pension; or
(d)severe disablement allowance.
(2)Regulations under this paragraph shall prescribe—
(a)the kind of information to be furnished in accordance with the regulations;
(b)the person to whom information of the prescribed kind is to be furnished; and
(c)the manner in which, and period within which, it is to be furnished.”