(1)This section applies to information held by—
(a)a chief officer of police;
[F1(b)the Serious Organised Crime Agency;]
(d)the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, or a person providing services to them in connection with the provision of those services;
(e)a person with whom the Secretary of State has made a contract or other arrangements under section 95 or 98 or a sub-contractor of such a person; or
(f)any specified person, for purposes specified in relation to that person.
[F2(1A)This section also applies to a document or article which—
(a)comes into the possession of a person listed in subsection (1) or someone acting on his behalf, or
(b)is discovered by a person listed in subsection (1) or someone acting on his behalf.]
(2)The information [F3, document or article] may be supplied to the Secretary of State for use for immigration purposes.
[F4(2A)The Secretary of State may—
(a)retain for immigration purposes a document or article supplied to him under subsection (2), and
(b)dispose of a document or article supplied to him under subsection (2) in such manner as he thinks appropriate (and the reference to use in subsection (2) includes a reference to disposal).]
(3)“Immigration purposes” means any of the following—
(a)the administration of immigration control under the Immigration Acts;
(b)the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences under those Acts;
(c)the imposition of penalties or charges under Part II;
(d)the provision of support for asylum-seekers and their dependants under Part VI;
(e)such other purposes as may be specified.
(4)“Chief officer of police” means—
(a)the chief officer of police for a police area in England and Wales;
(b)the chief constable of a police force maintained under the M1Police (Scotland) Act 1967;
(c)the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
(5)“Specified” means specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.
(6)This section does not limit the circumstances in which information [F5, documents or articles] may be supplied apart from this section.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 20(1)(b) substituted for s. 20(1)(b)(c) (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 123; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10
F2S. 20(1A) inserted (10.2.2003) by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41), ss. 132(2), 162(1) (with s. 159); S.I. 2003/1, art. 2, Sch.
F3Words in s. 20(2) inserted (10.2.2003) by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41), ss. 132(3), 162(1) (with s. 159); S.I. 2003/1, art. 2, Sch.
F4S. 20(2A) inserted (10.2.2003) by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41), ss. 132(4), 162(1) (with s. 159); S.I. 2003/1, art. 2, Sch.
F5Words in s. 20(6) inserted (10.2.2003) by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41), ss. 132(5), 162(1) (with s. 159); S.I. 2003/1, art. 2, Sch.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 20 modified (10.2.2003) by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (c. 41), ss. 131, 162(1) (with s. 159); S.I. 2003/1, art. 2, Sch.
C2S. 20 restricted (7.4.2005) by Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (c. 11), s. 53(1), Sch. 2 para. 17 (with s. 22); S.I. 2005/1126, art. 2(1)
Marginal Citations