Water Resources Act 1991

Restriction on disclosure of information E+W

204 Restriction on disclosure of information. E+W

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, no information with respect to any particular business which—

(a) has been obtained by virtue of any of the provisions of this Act; and

(b) relates to the affairs of any individual or to any particular business,

shall, during the lifetime of that individual or so long as that business continues to be carried on, be disclosed without the consent of that individual or the person for the time being carrying on that business.

(2) Subsection (1) above does not apply to any disclosure of information which is made—

(a) for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by either of the Ministers, the Agency, [F1 the NRBW,] the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, the [F2 the Water Services Regulation Authority, the Consumer Council for Water], the [F3 Competition and Markets Authority] or a local authority of any of his, its or, as the case may be, their functions by virtue of this Act, any of the other consolidation Acts [F4 , the Water Act 1989, Part I or IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the 1995 Act, regulations under section 2 of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999, [F5 the Water Act 2003, [F6 the Water Act 2014] or the Natural Resources Body for Wales (Establishment) Order 2012 (S.I.2012/1903)]];

(b) for the purpose of facilitating the performance by a water undertaker [F7 , sewerage undertaker or [F8 person] holding a licence under Chapter 1A of Part 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991] of any of the duties imposed [F9 on the undertaker or, as the case may be, the person] by or under this Act, any of the other consolidation Acts [F10 , the Water Act 1989 [F11 , the Water Act 2003 or the Water Act 2014]];

(c) in pursuance of any duty imposed by section 197(1)(a) or (2) or [F12 203(1), (1A), (2) or (2A)] above or [F13 of any duty imposed by section 27H] of the Water Industry Act 1991;

[F14 (ca) for the purpose of complying with a request under section 14 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010;]

(d) for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by any person mentioned in Part I of Schedule 24 to this Act of any of his functions under any of the enactments or instruments specified in Part II of that Schedule;

[F15 (e) for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Secretary of State, the Treasury [F16 , the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority or the Bank of England] to exercise any powers conferred by or under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or by the enactments relating to companies or insolvency;

(ea) for the purpose of enabling or assisting any inspector appointed under enactments relating to companies to carry out his functions;]

(f) for the purpose of enabling an official receiver to carry out his functions under the enactments relating to insolvency or for the purpose of enabling or assisting a recognised professional body for the purposes of section 391 of the M1 Insolvency Act 1986 to carry out its functions as such;

(g) for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by F17 ... the Health and Safety Executive of any of its functions under any enactment or of facilitating the carrying out by any enforcing authority, within the meaning of Part I of the M2 Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, of any functions under a relevant statutory provision, within the meaning of that Act;

[F18 (ga) for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by the Office for Nuclear Regulation of any of its functions under any enactment;]

(h) for the purpose of facilitating the carrying out by the Comptroller and Auditor General of any of his functions under any enactment;

(i) in connection with the investigation of any criminal offence or for the purposes of any criminal proceedings;

(j) for the purposes of any civil proceedings brought under or by virtue of this Act, any of the other consolidation Acts, the M3 Water Act 1989 [F19 , the Water Act 2003] [F20 , the Water Act 2014] or any of the enactments or instruments specified in Part II of Schedule 24 to this Act, or of any arbitration under this Act, any of the other consolidation Acts [F21 , the Water Act 1989 [F22 , the Water Act 2003 or the Water Act 2014]]; or

(k) in pursuance of [F23 [F24 an assimilated] obligation].

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) above shall be construed—

(a) as limiting the matters which may be included in, or made public as part of, a report of—

(i) the [F25 Agency];

[F26 (ia) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency;]

[F27 (ib) the NRBW;]

[F28 (ii) the Water Services Regulation Authority;]

[F29 (iii) the Consumer Council for Water (or any regional committee of that Council established under section 27A of the Water Industry Act 1991); or]

(iv) the [F30 Competition and Markets Authority],

under any provision of this Act [F31 , Part I or IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, that Act of 1991 [F32 , the 1995 Act [F33 , regulations under section 2 of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999, or the Water Act 2003]]];

(b) as limiting the matters which may be published under section 201 of that Act [F34 of 1991]; or

(c) as applying to any information which has been made public as part of such a report or has been so published or to any information exclusively of a statistical nature.

(4) Subject to subsection (5) below, nothing in subsection (1) above shall preclude the disclosure of information—

(a) if the disclosure is of information relating to a matter connected with the carrying out of the functions of a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker [F35 , or with the carrying on by [F36 a person] holding a licence under Chapter 1A of Part 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991 of activities under [F37 the person's licence],] and is made by one Minister of the Crown or government department to another; or

(b) if the disclosure is for the purpose of enabling or assisting any public or other authority for the time being designated for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Secretary of State to discharge any functions which are specified in the order.

(5) The power to make an order under subsection (4) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament; and where such an order designates an authority for the purposes of paragraph (b) of that subsection, the order may—

(a) impose conditions subject to which the disclosure of information is permitted by virtue of that paragraph; and

(b) otherwise restrict the circumstances in which disclosure is so permitted.

(6) Any person who discloses any information in contravention of the preceding provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.

(7) In this section “the other consolidation Acts” means the M4 Water Industry Act 1991, F38 ... the M5 Land Drainage Act 1991 and the M6 Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991.

[F39 (8) In this section the reference to the Bank of England does not include the Bank acting in its capacity as the Prudential Regulation Authority.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 204(2)(a) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 300(2)(a) (with Sch. 7)

F2 Words in s. 204(2)(a) substituted (1.10.2005) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(a)(i); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(l)(aa)(vi) (with Sch. para. 8)

F3 Words in s. 204(2)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 96 (with art. 3)

F4 Words in s. 204(2)(b) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 173(2)(b) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3 (with art. 4)

F5 Words in s. 204(2)(a) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 300(2)(b) (with Sch. 7)

F6 Words in s. 204(2)(a) inserted (31.3.2017) by The Water Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments etc.) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/506), arts. 1(1), 7(a)

F7 Words in s. 204(2)(b) substituted (1.12.2005) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 8 para. 53(3)(a); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 3(c) (with Sch. para. 8)

F8 Word in s. 204(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2016) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 126(2)(a); S.I. 2016/465, art. 2(m), Sch. 1 para. 1(cc) (with Sch. 2)

F9 Words in s. 204(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2016) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 126(2)(b); S.I. 2016/465, art. 2(m), Sch. 1 para. 1(cc) (with Sch. 2)

F10 Words in s. 204(2)(b) substituted (1.4.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(a)(iii); S.I. 2004/641, art. 3(y), Sch. 2 (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F11 Words in s. 204(2)(b) substituted (31.3.2017) by The Water Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments etc.) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/506), arts. 1(1), 7(b)

F12 Words in s. 204(2)(c) substituted (1.12.2005) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 8 para. 53(3)(b); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 3(c) (with Sch. para. 8)

F13 Words in s. 204(2)(c) substituted (1.10.2005) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(a)(iv); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(l)(aa)(vi) (with Sch. para. 8)

F14 S. 204(2)(ca) inserted (1.4.2011) by Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (c. 29), s. 49(3), Sch. 2 para. 48 (with s. 49(1)(6)); S.I. 2011/694, art. 3(g)

F15 S. 204(2)(e)(ea) substituted for s. 204(2)(e) (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, art. 329

F16 Words in s. 204(2)(e) substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 18 para. 73 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F17 Words in s. 204(2)(g) omitted (1.4.2008) by virtue of Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 1, Sch. 3 (with art. 21, Sch. 2)

F18 S. 204(2)(ga) inserted (1.4.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 65; S.I. 2014/251, art. 4

F19 Words in s. 204(2)(j) inserted (1.4.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(a)(v)(a); S.I. 2004/641, art. 3(y), Sch. 2 (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F20 Words in s. 204(2)(j) inserted (31.3.2017) by The Water Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments etc.) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/506), arts. 1(1), 7(c)(i)

F21 Words in s. 204(2)(j) substituted (1.4.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(a)(v)(b); S.I. 2004/641, art. 3(y), Sch. 2 (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F22 Words in s. 204(2)(j) substituted (31.3.2017) by The Water Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments etc.) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/506), arts. 1(1), 7(c)(ii)

F23 Words in s. 204(2)(k) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Floods and Water (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/558), regs. 1(1), 4(7); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F24 Words in s. 204(2)(k) substituted (1.1.2024) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1424), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 31(3)

F25 Words in s. 204 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3 (with art. 4)

F26 S. 204(3)(a)(ia) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 173(3)(a) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3 (with art. 4)

F27 S. 204(3)(a)(ib) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 300(3) (with Sch. 7)

F28 S. 204(3)(a)(ii) substituted (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(b)(i); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 4(f) (with Sch. para. 8)

F29 S. 204(3)(a)(iii) substituted (1.10.2005) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(b)(ii); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 2(l)(aa)(vi) (with Sch. para. 8)

F30 Words in s. 204(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2014) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 96 (with art. 3)

F31 Words in s. 204(3)(a) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 173(3)(b) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3 (with art. 4)

F32 Words in s. 204(3)(a) substituted (21.3.2000) by 1999 c. 24, s. 6, Sch. 2 para. 8; S.I. 2000/800, art. 2

F33 Words in s. 204(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3)(b)(iii); S.I. 2004/641, art. 3(y), Sch. 2 (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F34 Words in s. 204(3)(b) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 173(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3 (with art. 4)

F35 Words in s. 204(4)(a) inserted (1.4.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 8 para. 53(3)(c); S.I. 2004/641, art. 3(y), Sch. 2 (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F36 Words in s. 204(4)(a) substituted (1.4.2016) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 126(3)(a); S.I. 2016/465, art. 2(m), Sch. 1 para. 1(cc) (with Sch. 2)

F37 Words in s. 204(4)(a) substituted (1.4.2016) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 126(3)(b); S.I. 2016/465, art. 2(m), Sch. 1 para. 1(cc) (with Sch. 2)

F38 Words in s. 204(7) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(3)(r), Sch. 23 para. 28(5)

F39 S. 204(8) inserted (1.3.2017) by The Bank of England and Financial Services (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/80), reg. 1, Sch. para. 6

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 204 applied (01.12.1991) by Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59, SIF 73:1), ss. 70, 76(2).

C2 S. 204 restricted (31.10.2003) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), s. 115; S.I. 2003/2681, art. 2(b)

C3 S. 204(2): disclosure powers extended (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 17, Sch. 4 Pt.I para. 32

Marginal Citations

M1 1986 c. 45.

M2 1974 c. 37.

M3 1989 c. 15.

M4 1991 c. 56.

M5 1991 c. 59.

M6 1991 c. 60.

205 Confidentiality of information relating to underground water etc. E+W

(1) The person sinking any such well or borehole as is mentioned in section 198 above or, if it is a different person, the owner or occupier of the land on which any such well or borehole is sunk may by notice to [F40 United Kingdom Research and Innovation (“UKRI”)] require [F41 UKRI] to treat as confidential—

(a) any copy of or extract from the journal required to be kept under that section; or

(b) any specimen taken in exercise of the rights specified in subsection (5) of that section.

(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, [F42 UKRI] shall not, without the consent of the person giving the notice, allow any matter to which any notice under subsection (1) above relates to be published or shown to any person who is not an officer of [F43 UKRI] or of a department of the Secretary of State.

(3) Subsection (2) above shall not prohibit any matter from being published or shown to any person in so far as it contains or affords information as to water resources and supplies.

(4) If at any time [F44 UKRI] give notice to any person that in their opinion his consent for the purposes of subsection (2) above is being unreasonably withheld—

(a) that person may, within three months after the giving of the notice, appeal to the High Court for an order restraining [F45 UKRI] from acting as if consent had been given; and

(b) [F45 UKRI] may proceed as if consent had been given if either no such appeal is brought within that period or the High Court, after hearing the appeal, do not make such an order.

(5) Any person who fails to comply with any obligation imposed on him by the preceding provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction—

(a) to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale; and

(b) where the offence continues after conviction, to a further fine of £20 for every day during which it so continues.

(6) If any person who is admitted to any premises in compliance with section 198(2)(c) above discloses to any person any information obtained by him there with regard to any manufacturing process or trade secret, he shall, unless the disclosure is in performance of his duty, be guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine or to both.

Textual Amendments

F40 Words in s. 205(1) substituted (1.4.2018) by Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29), s. 124(5), Sch. 12 para. 15(3)(a)(i); S.I. 2018/241, reg. 2(t) (with transitional and savings provisions in S.I. 2018/245, regs. 2, 3, 30)

F41 Word in s. 205(1) substituted (1.4.2018) by Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29), s. 124(5), Sch. 12 para. 15(3)(a)(ii); S.I. 2018/241, reg. 2(t) (with transitional and savings provisions in S.I. 2018/245, regs. 2, 3, 30)

F42 Word in s. 205(2) substituted (1.4.2018) by Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29), s. 124(5), Sch. 12 para. 15(3)(b)(i); S.I. 2018/241, reg. 2(t) (with transitional and savings provisions in S.I. 2018/245, regs. 2, 3, 30)

F43 Word in s. 205(2) substituted (1.4.2018) by Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29), s. 124(5), Sch. 12 para. 15(3)(b)(ii); S.I. 2018/241, reg. 2(t) (with transitional and savings provisions in S.I. 2018/245, regs. 2, 3, 30)

F44 Word in s. 205(4) substituted (1.4.2018) by Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29), s. 124(5), Sch. 12 para. 15(3)(b)(i); S.I. 2018/241, reg. 2(t) (with transitional and savings provisions in S.I. 2018/245, regs. 2, 3, 30)

F45 Word in s. 205(4) substituted (1.4.2018) by Higher Education and Research Act 2017 (c. 29), s. 124(5), Sch. 12 para. 15(3)(b)(ii); S.I. 2018/241, reg. 2(t) (with transitional and savings provisions in S.I. 2018/245, regs. 2, 3, 30)