(1)The Secretary of State may supply to authorities such information of a prescribed description obtained by reason of the exercise of any of his functions under the Contributions and Benefits Act or this Act as they may require in connection with any of their functions relating to housing benefit.
(2)Authorities shall supply to the Secretary of State such information of a prescribed description obtained by reason of the exercise of their functions relating to housing benefit as he may require in connection with any of his functions under the Contributions and Benefits Act or this Act.
(3)It shall also be the duty of an authority to supply the Secretary of State, in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time—
(a)with such information as he may require concerning their performance of any of their functions relating to housing benefit; and
(b)with such information as he may require to enable him—
(i)to prepare estimates of likely future amounts of housing benefit expenditure; and
(ii)to decide questions relating to the development of housing benefit policy.