Utilities Act 2000

19 Provision of advice and information to public authorities and other persons

(1) The Council has the function of—

(a) making proposals, or providing advice and information, about consumer matters (including matters affecting consumers in different areas), and

(b) representing the views of consumers on such matters (including the views of consumers in different areas),

to public authorities, persons authorised by a licence or exemption under the 1986 Act or the 1989 Act and other persons whose activities may affect the interests of consumers.

(2) Subject to subsection (5), information which relates to the affairs of any particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate) shall not be disclosed in the exercise of the Council’s function under this section unless one or more of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (3) applies to the information.

(3) Information relating to a particular individual or body may be disclosed if—

(a) the individual or body has consented to the disclosure;

(b) it is information that is available to the public from some other source; or

(c) it is not information the disclosure of which would or might, in the opinion of the Council, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of the individual or body.

(4) Before deciding to disclose any information relating to a particular individual or body in pursuance of subsection (3)(c), the Council shall—

(a) consult that individual or body; and

(b) have regard to any opinion expressed by the Authority as to the application of subsection (3)(c) to the information or as to the desirability or otherwise of its disclosure;

and paragraph (b) applies whether the opinion is given in relation to the information itself or to information of a description which applies to that information.

(5) Subsections (2) to (4) do not apply to a disclosure of information which is made to the Authority, the Secretary of State, the Competition Commission or any other public authority.

(6) The disclosure by the Council of information in the exercise of its function under this section does not contravene section 105.