Information

14Information required by Secretary of State

1

The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring any information or evidence needed for the determination of any application under this Act, or any question arising in connection with such an application, or needed in connection with the collection or enforcement of child support or other maintenance under this Act, to be furnished—

a

by such persons as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

b

in accordance with the regulations.

2

Where the Secretary of State has in his possession any information acquired by him in connection with his functions under any of the benefit Acts, he may—

a

make use of that information for purposes of this Act; or

b

disclose it to the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland for purposes of any enactment corresponding to this Act and having effect with respect to Northern Ireland.

3

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision authorising the disclosure by him or by child support officers, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, of such information held by them for purposes of this Act as may be prescribed.

4

The provisions of Schedule 2 (which relate to information which is held for purposes other than those of this Act but which is required by the Secretary of State) shall have effect.