82.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), information of any description may be disclosed by—
(a)the Secretary of State;
(b)an appropriate authority; or
(c)an enforcement authority,
to any person for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by the Secretary of State, that appropriate authority or that enforcement authority of any of his or its functions under these Regulations.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) authorises a disclosure of information—
(a)to a person other than the Secretary of State, an appropriate authority or an enforcement authority where disclosure of that information would, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, be contrary to the interests of national security; or
(b)which contravenes any other legislation made in the United Kingdom, or in any part of the United Kingdom.
(3) No information disclosed to any person under or by virtue of paragraph (1) will be disclosed by that person to any other person otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph or any provision of any other legislation made in the United Kingdom, or in any part of the United Kingdom, which authorises or requires disclosure, where that information is information—
(a)which relates to a trade secret of any person or which otherwise is or might be commercially confidential in relation to any person; or
(b)whose disclosure otherwise than under or by virtue of paragraph (1) would, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, be contrary to the interests of national security.
(4) Any authorisation under or by virtue of paragraph (1) of the disclosure of information by or to any person will also be taken to authorise the disclosure of that information by or to any officer of his who is authorised by him to make the disclosure or to receive the information.
(5) Subject to paragraph (6), no person will be subject to any civil or criminal liability in consequence of any disclosure made under or by virtue of paragraph (1).
(6) A person commits an offence if he discloses information in contravention of paragraph (3).