Part IV General
Information etc.
49AF1Disclosure of information by or on behalf of public authorities
1
This section applies if information relating to a particular body or other person is obtained by the Commission or an auditor, or by a person acting on behalf of the Commission or an auditor–
a
pursuant to a provision of this Act or of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999, or
b
in the course of an audit or study under this Act or under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999.
2
A person who is, or acts on behalf of a person who is, a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, may disclose any such information–
a
in the circumstances in which he would (but for section 49(1A)) be authorised to do so under section 49(1);
b
in accordance with section 41(4); or
c
in any other circumstances, except where such a disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the effective performance by such a person of a function imposed or conferred on the person by or under an enactment.
3
A person mentioned in subsection (2) who discloses any such information otherwise than as authorised by subsection (2) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.