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Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

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28 Restrictions on disclosure of information.E+W

(1)In this and the two following subsections—

(a)“relevant information” means information obtained by a person under section 27(1) or furnished to any person [F1under section 27A above [F2, by virtue of section 43A(6) below]or] in pursuance of a requirement imposed by any of the relevant statutory provisions; and

(b)“the recipient”, in relation to any relevant information, means the person by whom that information was so obtained or to whom that information was so furnished, as the case may be.

(2)Subject to the following subsection, no relevant information shall be disclosed without the consent of the person by whom it was furnished.

(3)The preceding subsection shall not apply to—

(a)disclosure of information to F3. . . the Executive, [F4 the Environment Agency, [F5the Natural Resources Body for Wales,]the Scottish Environment Protection Agency,] a government department or any enforcing authority;

(b)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, disclosure by the recipient of information to any person for the purpose of any function conferred on the recipient by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions;

(c)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, disclosure by the recipient of information to—

(i)an officer of a local authority who is authorised by that authority to receive it,

[F6(ii) an officer F7 . . . of a water undertaker, sewerage undertaker, water authority or water development board who is authorised by that F8 . . . undertaker, authority or board to receive it, ]

F9(iii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iv)a constable authorised by a chief officer of police to receive it;

(d)disclosure by the recipient of information in a form calculated to prevent it from being identified as relating to a particular person or case;

(e)disclosure of information for the purposes of any legal proceedings or any investigation or inquiry held by virtue of [F10section 14(2) or (2A)] , or for the purposes of a report of any such proceedings or inquiry or of a special report made by virtue of [F10section 14(2) or (2A)].

[F11(f)any other disclosure of information by the recipient, if–

(i)the recipient is, or is acting on behalf of a person who is, a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and

(ii)the information is not held by the authority on behalf of another person.]

[F12(4)In the preceding subsection, any reference to the Executive, the Environment Agency, [F13the Natural Resources Body for Wales,] the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, a government department or an enforcing authority includes respectively a reference to an officer of that body or authority (including, in the case of an enforcing authority, any inspector appointed by it), and also, in the case of a reference to the Executive, includes a reference to—

(a)a person performing any functions of the Executive on its behalf by virtue of section 13(3);

(b)an officer of a body which is so performing any such functions; and

(c)an adviser appointed under section 13(7).]

(5)A person to whom information is disclosed in pursuance of [F14any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of] subsection (3) above shall not use the information for a purpose other than—

(a)in a case falling within paragraph (a) of that subsection, a purpose F15. . . of the Executive or [F16of the Environment Agency [F17or of the Natural Resources Body for Wales]or of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or]of the government department in question, or the purposes of the enforcing authority in question in connection with the relevant statutory provisions, as the case may be;

(b)in the case of information given to an officer of a [F18body which is a local authority, F19. . . a water undertaker, a sewerage undertaker, a water authority, a river purification board or a water development board, the purposes of the body] in connection with the relevant statutory provisions or any enactment whatsoever relating to public health, public safety or the protection of the environment;

(c)in the case of information given to a constable, the purposes of the police in connection with the relevant statutory provisions or any enactment whatsoever relating to public health, public safety or the safety of the State.

[F20( 6 ) References in subsections (3) and (5) above to a local authority include F21 . . . a joint authority established by Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985, [F22 an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act, ] [F23 an authority established for an area in England by an order under section 207 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (joint waste authorities) ] [F24 and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority ] . ]

(7)A person shall not disclose any information obtained by him as a result of the exercise of any power conferred by section 14(4)(a) or 20 (including, in particular, any information with respect to any trade secret obtained by him in any premises entered by him by virtue of any such power) except—

(a)for the purposes of his functions; or

(b)for the purposes of any legal proceedings or any investigation or inquiry held by virtue of [F25section 14(2) or (2A)] or for the purposes of a report of any such proceedings or inquiry or of a special report made by virtue of [F25section 14(2) or (2A)]; or

(c)with the relevant consent.

In this subsection “the relevant consent” means, in the case of information furnished in pursuance of a requirement imposed under section 20, the consent of the person who furnished it, and, in any other case, the consent of a person having responsibilities in relation to the premises where the information was obtained.

(8)Notwithstanding anything in the preceding subsection an inspector shall, in circumstances in which it is necessary to do so for the purpose of assisting in keeping persons (or the representatives of persons) employed at any premises adequately informed about matters affecting their health, safety and welfare, give to such persons or their represenatives the following descriptions of information, that is to say—

(a)factual information obtained by him as mentioned in that subsection which relates to those premises or anything which was or is therein or was or is being done therein; and

(b)information with respect to any action which he has taken or proposes to take in or in connection with those premises in the performance of his functions;

and, where an inspector does as aforesaid, he shall give the like information to the employer of the first-mentioned persons.

[F26(9)Notwithstanding anything in subsection (7) above, a person who has obtained such information as is referred to in that subsection may furnish to a person who appears to him to be likely to be a party to any civil proceedings arising out of any accident, occurrence, situation or other matter, a written statement of relevant facts observed by him in the course of exercising any of the powers referred to in that subsection].

[F27(9A)Subsection (7) above does not apply if–

(a)the person who has obtained any such information as is referred to in that subsection is, or is acting on behalf of a person who is, a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and

(b)the information is not held by the authority on behalf of another person.]

[F28(10)The Broads Authority and every National Park authority shall be deemed to be local authorities for the purposes of this section.]

Extent Information

E2This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; separate versions have been created for Scotland only and for Northern Ireland (in so far as this provision extends there, see s. 84(1)).

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 28(1)(a) inserted (10.9.2003) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 105(2), 120

F4Words in s. 28(3)(a) inserted (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(a) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F7Words in s. 28(3)(c)(ii) repealed (E.W.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(b)(i), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F8Word in s. 28(3)(c)(ii) repealed (E.W.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(b)(ii), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F9S. 28(3)(c)(iii) repealed (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(d), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F16Words in s. 28(5)(a) inserted (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(f)(i) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F19Words in s. 28(5)(b) repealed (E.W.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(f)(ii), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F23Words in s. 28(6) inserted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 32; S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(1)(o)(p)

F24Words in s. 28(6) added (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328(8), Sch. 29 para. 23 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4

F28S. 28(10) substituted (E.W.) (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 12 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C20S. 28 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 28 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 28 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 28: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(e), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 28 restricted (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 23(1)

C23S. 28 restricted (E.W.S.) (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 15

S. 28 excluded (E.W.S.) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 21(5).

C24S. 28 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C25S. 28 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C26Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2127, arts. 4(1), 5(1)(2), 6(1), 7(1), 8(1), 10 (with art. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(2)(4))

C27S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (22.3.2003 for certain purposes and 22.9.2003 otherwise) by S.I. 2003/403, regs. 1(2), 23(2)(e)(3)

C28S. 28 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 2005/928, art. 4(3)(b)

C29S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The Channel Tunnel (Safety) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3531), art. 4(2)(3)(g) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C30Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (temp.) (5.8.2009) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2127), arts. 8A, 8B (as inserted by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(3))

C32S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (6.4.2010) by The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/724), regs. 1(2), 38(2)(3)(f)

C33Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (4.7.2010 for certain purposes and otherwise 4.7.2013) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1554), regs. 1, 18, 37(1), {Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2}

C34Ss. 1-59 applied by S.I. 2001/2127 art. 8A 8B (as inserted (E.W.S.) (6.4.2011) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/745), arts. 1(1), 3(2))

C35S. 28 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(f) (with reg. 3)

C37S. 28(6) extended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 4

s. 28 extended (31.1.1994) by S.I. 1993/3050, art. 18(1) (with art. 3).

C38S. 28(7): Disclosure powers extended (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 17, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 12

28 Restrictions on disclosure of information.S

(1)In this and the two following subsections—

(a)“relevant information” means information obtained by a person under section 27(1) or furnished to any person [F29under section 27A above [F2, by virtue of section 43A(6) below] or] in pursuance of a requirement imposed by any of the relevant statutory provisions; and

(b)“the recipient”, in relation to any relevant information, means the person by whom that information was so obtained or to whom that information was so furnished, as the case may be.

(2)Subject to the following subsection, no relevant information shall be disclosed without the consent of the person by whom it was furnished.

(3)The preceding subsection shall not apply to—

(a)disclosure of information to F3. . . the Executive, [F30the Environment Agency, [F5the Natural Resources Body for Wales,]the Scottish Environment Protection Agency,] a government department or any enforcing authority;

(b)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, disclosure by the recipient of information to any person for the purpose of any function conferred on the recipient by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions;

(c)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, disclosure by the recipient of information to—

(i)an officer of a local authority who is authorised by that authority to receive it,

[F31(ii)an officer of a water undertaker, sewerage undertaker, [F32or Scottish Water] who is authorised by [F33that undertaker or, as the case may be, Scottish Water] to receive it;]

F34(iii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iv)a constable authorised by a chief officer of police to receive it;

(d)disclosure by the recipient of information in a form calculated to prevent it from being identified as relating to a particular person or case;

(e)disclosure of information for the purposes of any legal proceedings or any investigation or inquiry held by virtue of [F10section 14(2) or (2A)], or for the purposes of a report of any such proceedings or inquiry or of a special report made by virtue of [F10section 14(2) or (2A)].

[F35(f)any other disclosure of information by the recipient, if–

(i)the recipient is, or is acting on behalf of a person who is, a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 [F36or a Scottish public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002] , and

(ii)the information is not held by the authority on behalf of another person.]

[F12(4)In the preceding subsection, any reference to the Executive, the Environment Agency, [F13the Natural Resources Body for Wales,] the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, a government department or an enforcing authority includes respectively a reference to an officer of that body or authority (including, in the case of an enforcing authority, any inspector appointed by it), and also, in the case of a reference to the Executive, includes a reference to—

(a)a person performing any functions of the Executive on its behalf by virtue of section 13(3);

(b)an officer of a body which is so performing any such functions; and

(c)an adviser appointed under section 13(7).]

(5)A person to whom information is disclosed in pursuance of [F37any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of] subsection (3) above shall not use the information for a purpose other than—

(a)in a case falling within paragraph (a) of that subsection, a purpose F15. . . of the Executive or [F38 of the Environment Agency [F17or of the Natural Resources Body for Wales]or of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or] of the government department in question, or the purposes of the enforcing authority in question in connection with the relevant statutory provisions, as the case may be;

(b)[F39in the case of information given to an officer of a body which is a local authority, a water undertaker, [F40or a sewerage undertaker or to an officer of Scottish Water,] the purposes of the body [F41authority, undertaker or, as the case may be, Scottish Water] in connection] with the relevant statutory provisions or any enactment whatsoever relating to public health, public safety or the protection of the environment;

(c)in the case of information given to a constable, the purposes of the police in connection with the relevant statutory provisions or any enactment whatsoever relating to public health, public safety or the safety of the State.

[F42( 6 ) References in subsections (3) and (5) above to a local authority include F21 . . . a joint authority established by Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985, [F22 an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act, ] [F23 an authority established for an area in England by an order under section 207 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (joint waste authorities) ] [F24 and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority ] . ]

(7)A person shall not disclose any information obtained by him as a result of the exercise of any power conferred by section 14(4)(a) or 20 (including, in particular, any information with respect to any trade secret obtained by him in any premises entered by him by virtue of any such power) except—

(a)for the purposes of his functions; or

(b)for the purposes of any legal proceedings or any investigation or inquiry held by virtue of [F25section 14(2) or (2A)] or for the purposes of a report of any such proceedings or inquiry or of a special report made by virtue of [F25section 14(2) or (2A)]; or

(c)with the relevant consent.

In this subsection “the relevant consent” means, in the case of information furnished in pursuance of a requirement imposed under section 20, the consent of the person who furnished it, and, in any other case, the consent of a person having responsibilities in relation to the premises where the information was obtained.

(8)Notwithstanding anything in the preceding subsection an inspector shall, in circumstances in which it is necessary to do so for the purpose of assisting in keeping persons (or the representatives of persons) employed at any premises adequately informed about matters affecting their health, safety and welfare, give to such persons or their represenatives the following descriptions of information, that is to say—

(a)factual information obtained by him as mentioned in that subsection which relates to those premises or anything which was or is therein or was or is being done therein; and

(b)information with respect to any action which he has taken or proposes to take in or in connection with those premises in the performance of his functions;

and, where an inspector does as aforesaid, he shall give the like information to the employer of the first-mentioned persons.

[F43(9)Notwithstanding anything in subsection (7) above, a person who has obtained such information as is referred to in that subsection may furnish to a person who appears to him to be likely to be a party to any civil proceedings arising out of any accident, occurrence, situation or other matter, a written statement of relevant facts observed by him in the course of exercising any of the powers referred to in that subsection].

[F44(9A)Subsection (7) above does not apply if–

(a)the person who has obtained any such information as is referred to in that subsection is, or is acting on behalf of a person who is, a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 [F45or a Scottish public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002] , and

(b)the information is not held by the authority on behalf of another person.]

[F46(10)For the purposes of this section the Broads Authority shall be treated as a local authority.]

Extent Information

E3This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; separate versions of this provision have been created for England and Wales only and for Northern Ireland (in so far as this provision extends there, see s. 84(1))

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 28(1)(a) inserted (10.9.2003) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 105(2), 120

F23Words in s. 28(6) inserted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 32; S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(1)(o)(p)

F24Words in s. 28(6) added (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328(8), Sch. 29 para. 23 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4

F30Words in s. 28(3)(a) inserted (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(a) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F31S. 28(3)(c)(ii) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(c) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F32Words in s. 28(3)(c)(ii) substituted (S.) (14.7.2004) by The Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1822) art. 2, {Sch. Pt. 1 para. 8(a)(i)}

F34S. 28(3)(c)(iii) repealed (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(d), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F38Words in s. 28(5)(a) inserted (E.W.S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(f)(i) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F39Words in s. 28(5)(b) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 30(6)(f)(iii) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 2

F40Words in s. 28(5)(b) substituted (14.7.2004) by The Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/ 1822) art. 2, {Sch. Pt. 1 para. 8(b)(i)}

F41Words in s. 28(5)(b) inserted (14.7.2004) by The Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1822) art. 2, {Sch. Pt. 1 para. 8(b)(ii)}

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C30Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (temp.) (5.8.2009) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2127), arts. 8A, 8B (as inserted by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(3))

C34Ss. 1-59 applied by S.I. 2001/2127 art. 8A 8B (as inserted (E.W.S.) (6.4.2011) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/745), arts. 1(1), 3(2))

C35S. 28 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(f) (with reg. 3)

C37S. 28(6) extended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 4

s. 28 extended (31.1.1994) by S.I. 1993/3050, art. 18(1) (with art. 3).

C39S. 28 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2-10

S. 28 excluded (with saving) (E.W.S.) (1.12.1997) by S.I. 1997/1840, regs. 7, 9

S. 28 extended (E.W.S.) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/1513, reg. 10

S. 28: power to apply conferred (E.W.S.) (28.8.1995) by 1995 c. 15, ss. 2(4)(e), 5 (with s. 3(5))

S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/192, reg. 15, Sch. 14 para. 1(b)

S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (1.7.1997) by S.I. 1997/831, reg. 19(1)-(4), Sch. 15 para. 1(a)(b)

S. 28 restricted (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 23(1)

C41S. 28 restricted (E.W.S.) (1.2.1993) by S.I. 1992/3217, reg. 15

S. 28 excluded (E.W.S.) (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/743, reg. 21(5).

C42Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C43Ss. 19-28 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C44Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2127, arts. 4(1), 5(1)(2), 6(1), 7(1), 8(1), 10 (with art. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(2)(4))

C45S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (22.3.2003 for certain purposes and 22.9.2003 otherwise) by S.I. 2003/403, regs. 1(2), 23(2)(e)(3)

C46S. 28 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 2005/928, art. 4(3)(b)

C47S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (the amendment coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The Channel Tunnel (Safety) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3531), art. 4(2)(3)(g) (subject to (4)-(6)) (with art. 7)

C48S. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (6.4.2010) by The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/724), regs. 1(2), 38(2)(3)(f)

C49Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (4.7.2010 for certain purposes and otherwise 4.7.2013) by The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1554), regs. 1, 18, 37(1), {Sch. 4 paras. 1, 2}

C50S. 28(7): Disclosure powers extended (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 17, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 12

28 Restrictions on disclosure of information.N.I.

(1)In this and the two following subsections—

(a)“relevant information” means information obtained by a person under section 27(1) or furnished to any person [F47under section 27A above [F2, by virtue of section 43A(6) below]or] in pursuance of a requirement imposed by any of the relevant statutory provisions; and

(b)“the recipient”, in relation to any relevant information, means the person by whom that information was so obtained or to whom that information was so furnished, as the case may be.

(2)Subject to the following subsection, no relevant information shall be disclosed without the consent of the person by whom it was furnished.

(3)The preceding subsection shall not apply to—

(a)disclosure of information to F3. . . the Executive, a government department or any enforcing authority;

(b)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, disclosure by the recipient of information to any person for the purpose of any function conferred on the recipient by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions;

(c)without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, disclosure by the recipient of information to—

(i)an officer of a local authority who is authorised by that authority to receive it,

[F48(ii)an officer of the National Rivers Authority or of a water undertaker, sewerage undertaker, water authority or water development board who is authorised by that Authority, undertaker, authority or board to receive it,]

(iii)an officer of a river purification board who is authorised by that board to receive it, or

(iv)a constable authorised by a chief officer of police to receive it;

(d)disclosure by the recipient of information in a form calculated to prevent it from being identified as relating to a particular person or case;

(e)disclosure of information for the purposes of any legal proceedings or any investigation or inquiry held by virtue of [F10section 14(2) or (2A)], or for the purposes of a report of any such proceedings or inquiry or of a special report made by virtue of [F10section 14(2) or (2A)].

[F49(f)any other disclosure of information by the recipient, if–

(i)the recipient is, or is acting on behalf of a person who is, a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and

(ii)the information is not held by the authority on behalf of another person.]

[F12(4)In the preceding subsection, any reference to the Executive, the Environment Agency,[F13the Natural Resources Body for Wales,] the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, a government department or an enforcing authority includes respectively a reference to an officer of that body or authority (including, in the case of an enforcing authority, any inspector appointed by it), and also, in the case of a reference to the Executive, includes a reference to—

(a)a person performing any functions of the Executive on its behalf by virtue of section 13(3);

(b)an officer of a body which is so performing any such functions; and

(c)an adviser appointed under section 13(7).]

(5)A person to whom information is disclosed in pursuance of [F50any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of] subsection (3) above shall not use the information for a purpose other than—

(a)in a case falling within paragraph (a) of that subsection, a purpose F15. . . of the Executive or of the government department in question, or the purposes of the enforcing authority in question in connection with the relevant statutory provisions, as the case may be;

(b)in the case of information given to an officer of a [F51body which is a local authority, the National Rivers Authority, a water undertaker, a sewerage undertaker, a water authority, a river purification board or a water development board, the purposes of the body] in connection with the relevant statutory provisions or any enactment whatsoever relating to public health, public safety or the protection of the environment;

(c)in the case of information given to a constable, the purposes of the police in connection with the relevant statutory provisions or any enactment whatsoever relating to public health, public safety or the safety of the State.

[F52( 6 ) References in subsections (3) and (5) above to a local authority include F21 . . . a joint authority established by Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985, [F22 an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act, ] [F23 an authority established for an area in England by an order under section 207 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (joint waste authorities) ] [F24 and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority ] . ]

(7)A person shall not disclose any information obtained by him as a result of the exercise of any power conferred by section 14(4)(a) or 20 (including, in particular, any information with respect to any trade secret obtained by him in any premises entered by him by virtue of any such power) except—

(a)for the purposes of his functions; or

(b)for the purposes of any legal proceedings or any investigation or inquiry held by virtue of [F25section 14(2) or (2A)] or for the purposes of a report of any such proceedings or inquiry or of a special report made by virtue of [F25section 14(2) or (2A)]; or

(c)with the relevant consent.

In this subsection “the relevant consent” means, in the case of information furnished in pursuance of a requirement imposed under section 20, the consent of the person who furnished it, and, in any other case, the consent of a person having responsibilities in relation to the premises where the information was obtained.

(8)Notwithstanding anything in the preceding subsection an inspector shall, in circumstances in which it is necessary to do so for the purpose of assisting in keeping persons (or the representatives of persons) employed at any premises adequately informed about matters affecting their health, safety and welfare, give to such persons or their represenatives the following descriptions of information, that is to say—

(a)factual information obtained by him as mentioned in that subsection which relates to those premises or anything which was or is therein or was or is being done therein; and

(b)information with respect to any action which he has taken or proposes to take in or in connection with those premises in the performance of his functions;

and, where an inspector does as aforesaid, he shall give the like information to the employer of the first-mentioned persons.

[F53(9)Notwithstanding anything in subsection (7) above, a person who has obtained such information as is referred to in that subsection may furnish to a person who appears to him to be likely to be a party to any civil proceedings arising out of any accident, occurrence, situation or other matter, a written statement of relevant facts observed by him in the course of exercising any of the powers referred to in that subsection].

[F54(9A)Subsection (7) above does not apply if–

(a)the person who has obtained any such information as is referred to in that subsection is, or is acting on behalf of a person who is, a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and

(b)the information is not held by the authority on behalf of another person.]

[F55(10)For the purposes of this section the Broads Authority shall be treated as a local authority.]

Extent Information

E4This version of this provision applies to Northern Ireland (in so far as this provision extends there, see s. 84(1)(a)); separate versions of this provision have been created for England and Wales only and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F2Words in s. 28(1)(a) inserted (10.9.2003) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), ss. 105(2), 120

F23Words in s. 28(6) inserted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 32; S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(1)(o)(p)

F24Words in s. 28(6) added (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328(8), Sch. 29 para. 23 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2127, arts. 4(1), 5(1)(2), 6(1), 7(1), 8(1), 10 (with art. 11) (as amended by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(2)(4))

C30Ss. 1-59, 80-82 applied (temp.) (5.8.2009) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2127), arts. 8A, 8B (as inserted by S.I. 2009/1750, art. 2(3))

C34Ss. 1-59 applied by S.I. 2001/2127 art. 8A 8B (as inserted (E.W.S.) (6.4.2011) by The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/745), arts. 1(1), 3(2))

C35S. 28 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2012) by The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/3066), regs. 1(2), 39(2)(3)(f) (with reg. 3)

C37S. 28(6) extended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 4

s. 28 extended (31.1.1994) by S.I. 1993/3050, art. 18(1) (with art. 3).

C51Ss. 1, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 59, 80, 81 and 82 applied by S.I. 1989/840, arts. 2, 10

C52S. 28 amended by S.I. 1982/1496, reg. 10(1)

S. 28 extended (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 39, 66(2)(b), Sch. 13 para. 20(e) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2))

S. 28 restricted (15.11.2000) by S.I. 2000/2831, reg. 23(1)

C54Ss. 19-28 applied (with modifications) (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/3073, reg. 28, Sch. 6 para. 1(b)

C55Ss. 19-28 modified (6.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/711, regs. 1(2), 28(3)(b)(5)(a)

C56s. 28 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (22.4.2005) by S.I. 2005/928, reg. 4(2)-(4)

C57S. 28(7): Disclosure powers extended (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 17, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 12

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