Section 36: Directions
102.Subsections (1) to (3) allow the Secretary of State to require information from energywatch, Postwatch, the existing National Consumer Council and the Consumer Council for Water about their property, rights, liabilities and functions, and to set out requirements for receiving that information, such as timescale and form.
103.Subsection (4) means that the Secretary of State can direct energywatch, Postwatch, the existing National Consumer Council and the Consumer Council for Water not to take a specified action, or not to take a particular action in specified circumstances. For example, the Secretary of State may direct the existing consumer bodies not to sign up to additional property leases which extend beyond the date that the consumer body will be abolished. Subsection (5) requires the Secretary of State to consult both the consumer body to which the direction is being given and the Council before giving, changing or revoking a direction under this section.
104.This section is intended to facilitate the making of transfer schemes, in part by ensuring that the Secretary of State is able to obtain the information he needs to make such a scheme.
