Information

Information obtained by officers
15
1
This section applies to any information obtained by an officer acting for the purposes of this Act, whether by virtue of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of section 13(1) above.
2
Information to which this section applies vests in the Secretary of State.
3
Information to which this section applies may be used for any purpose relating to this Act by—
a
the Secretary of State; or
b
any relevant authority whose officer obtained the information.
4
Information to which this section applies—
a
may be supplied by, or with the authorisation of, the Secretary of State to any relevant authority for any purpose relating to this Act; and
b
may be used by the recipient for any purpose relating to this Act.
5
Information supplied under subsection (4) above—
a
shall not be supplied by the recipient to any other person or body unless it is supplied for the purposes of any civil or criminal proceedings relating to this Act; and
b
shall not be supplied in those circumstances without the authorisation of the Secretary of State.
6
This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be supplied or used apart from this section.
7
Subsection (2) above does not affect the title or rights of—
a
any person whose property the information was immediately before it was obtained as mentioned in subsection (1) above; or
b
any person claiming title or rights through or under such a person otherwise than by virtue of any power conferred by or under this Act.
8
In this section “relevant authority” means any Minister of the Crown who, or government department or other body which, is party to arrangements made with the Secretary of State which are in force under section 13(1)(b) above.