SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 9Data matching

Powers to amend this Schedule

8

(1)

A relevant minister may by regulations amend this Schedule—

(a)

to add a purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) to the purposes for which data matching exercises may be conducted (see paragraph 1(4));

(b)

to modify the application of this Schedule in relation to a purpose so added.

(2)

The purposes which may be added are—

(a)

to assist in the prevention and detection of crime (other than fraud),

(b)

to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of offenders,

(c)

to assist in the prevention and detection of errors and inaccuracies, and

(d)

to assist in the recovery of debt owing to public bodies.

(3)

Before making regulations under sub-paragraph (1), a relevant minister must consult—

(a)

the persons within paragraph 2(2),

(b)

such representatives of persons within paragraph 2(2) as the minister thinks appropriate, and

(c)

such other bodies or persons as the minister thinks appropriate.

(4)

A relevant minister may by regulations amend this Schedule—

(a)

to add a public body to the list in paragraph 2(2);

(b)

to modify the application of this Schedule in relation to a body so added;

(c)

to remove a person from that list.

(5)

Before making regulations under sub-paragraph (4), a relevant minister must consult—

(a)

the body or person who is to be the subject of the regulations,

(b)

such representatives of persons within paragraph 2(2) as the minister thinks appropriate, and

(c)

such other bodies or persons as the minister thinks appropriate.

(6)

In this paragraph, “public body” means a body or person whose functions—

(a)

are functions of a public nature, or

(b)

include functions of that nature,

but, in the latter case, the body or person is a public body only to the extent of those functions.