(1)The Secretary of State may at any time before 31st March 1999 direct any new principal council to give to him—
(a)details of the arrangements which they have made, or propose to make, for the performance of specified functions of theirs; and
(b)information of a specified kind or description as to the performance of specified functions of theirs.
(2)In subsection (1) “specified”, in relation to a direction, means specified in the direction.
(3)Nothing in this section is to be taken as affecting the operation of any other provision under which a local authority may be required to provide information of any kind to the Secretary of State or to any other person.