(1)Subsection (2) below applies where—
(a)the Secretary of State serves a notice on a relevant authority or relevant officer requiring it or him to supply to the Secretary of State information specified in the notice,
(b)the information is required by the Secretary of State for the purpose of deciding whether to exercise his powers, and how to perform his functions, under this Act, and
(c)the information is not personal information.
(2)The authority or officer shall supply the information required, and shall do so in such form and manner and at such time as the Secretary of State specifies in the notice.
(3)If an authority or officer fails to comply with subsection (2) above the Secretary of State may assume the information required to be such as he sees fit; and in such a case the Secretary of State may decide in accordance with the assumption whether to exercise his powers, and how to perform his functions, under this Act.
(4)In deciding whether to exercise his powers, and how to perform his functions, under this Act the Secretary of State may also take into account any other information available to him, whatever its source and whether or not obtained under a provision contained in or made under this or any other Act.
(5)Each of the following is a relevant authority—
(a)a [F2billing authority];
(b)a precepting authority.
[F3(6)A proper officer (within the meaning of the M1Local Government Act 1972) of a relevant authority is a relevant officer.]
(7)Personal information is information which relates to an individual (living or dead) who can be identified from that information or from that and other information supplied to any person by the authority or officer concerned; and personal information includes any expression of opinion about the individual and any indication of the intentions of any person in respect of the individual.
[F4(7A)A community charges registration officer shall supply to a billing authority such information as fulfils the following conditions—
(a)it is in his possession or control;
(b)the authority requests him to supply it; and
(c)it is requested by the authority for the purpose of complying with subsection (2) above;
and the reference in this subsection to a community charges registration officer shall be construed in accordance with section 26 above.]
F5(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 139A inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 81:1), s. 139, Sch. 5 para. 68
F2Words in s. 139A(5)(a) substituted (6.3.1992) by 1992 c. 14, s. 117(1), Sch. 13 para. 77(1) (with s. 118(1)(2)(4))
F3S. 139A(6) substituted (6.3.1992) by 1992 c. 14, s. 117(1), Sch. 13 para. 77(2) (with s. 118(1)(2)(4))
F4S. 139A(7A) inserted (6.3.1992) by 1992 c. 14, s. 117(1), Sch. 13 para. 77(3) (with s. 118(1)(2)(4))
F5S. 139A(8) repealed (6.3.1992) by 1992 c. 14, s. 117, Sch. 13 para. 77(3), Sch. 14 (with s. 118(1)(2)(4))
Marginal Citations