At the beginning of Part 7, after the italic heading “Miscellaneous” insert—

“54AGangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority: information gateways

(1)

A specified person may disclose information to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (the “Authority”) or a relevant officer if the disclosure is made for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act.

(2)

Information obtained by the Authority or a relevant officer in connection with the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act may be used by the Authority or the officer in connection with the exercise of any other such function of the Authority or the officer.

(3)

The Authority or a relevant officer may disclose to a specified person information obtained in connection with the exercise of any function of the Authority or the officer under this Act if the disclosure is made for the purposes of the exercise of any function of the specified person.

(4)

A disclosure of information which is authorised by this section does not breach—

(a)

an obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure, or

(b)

any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(5)

But nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure which—

(a)

contravenes the Data Protection Act 1998, or

(b)

is prohibited by Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

(6)

This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be disclosed apart from this section.

(7)

“Specified person” means a person specified in Schedule 4A (information gateways: specified persons).

(8)

The Secretary of State may by regulations amend Schedule 4A.

(9)

In this section, “relevant officer” means an officer of the Authority who is acting for the purposes of Part 1 or 2 of this Act (see sections 11A and 30A).”