A F1local authority may conduct, or assist in the conducting of, investigations into, and the collection of information relating to, any matters concerning their area or any part thereof and may make, or assist in the making of arrangements whereby any such information and the results of any such investigation are made available to F2. . . any government department or the public.

The appropriate Minister with respect to any matter may require F3a local authority to provide him with any information with respect to that matter which is in the possession of, or available to, that F4local authority in consequence of the exercise of any power conferred by or under any enactment; F5. . ..

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