Supply Powers Act 1975

4 Power of Secretary of State to require returns of stocks, etc. U.K.

(1) The Secretary of State may by notice in writing require any person producing, dealing in, or having control of any article required for the public service, to make periodical and other returns, at such times, and containing such particulars as may be specified in the notice, as to—

(a) the stocks of that article for the time being held by him and the quantities of any such article which by virtue of any contract are to be delivered by or to him and the date of delivery thereof; and

(b) the facilities available for producing that article or storing stocks thereof.

(2) The Secretary of State may by notice in writing require any person carrying out works required for the public service, or carrying on a business which in the opinion of the Secretary of State is suitable for or can be adapted to carrying out works so required, to make periodical and other returns, at such times and containing such particulars as may be specified in the notice, as to the facilities available for carrying out such works.

(3) The Secretary of State may by notice in writing require any person who has under his control accommodation suitable for the storage of any articles required for the public service to make periodical and other returns, at such times and containing such particulars as may be specified in the notice, as to—

(a) the nature and extent of that accommodation;

(b) the period for which any part of that accommodation is already required and the purpose for which it is required; and

(c) the facilities available for making use of the accommodation.

(4) Where a government department or any body of persons has, by virtue of any Act, power to obtain for any purpose information as to matters with respect to which the Secretary of State is empowered by subsections (1) to (3) above to require returns to be made—

(a) that department or body shall, if so required by the Secretary of State, exercise that power for the purpose of assisting the Secretary of State in obtaining any such information; and

(b) any such information obtained by that department or body, whether upon a requisition of the Secretary of State or otherwise, may, notwithstanding anything in any enactment, be furnished to the Secretary of State.