16.—(1) Regulation 98 of the 2001 Regulations shall be amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1) at the end insert “and the General Register Office for Scotland (in this regulation referred to as “GROS”) respectively”.
(3) In paragraph (2) after “the Office” insert “or GROS”.
(4) In paragraph (3)–
(a)at the beginning, insert “Subject to paragraph (6)”; and
(b)after “the Office” insert “or GROS”.
(5) In paragraph (4)–
(a)at the beginning insert “Subject to paragraph (6)”; and
(b)in sub paragraph (a) after “the Office” insert “or GROS”.
(6) After regulation 98(4) insert–
“(4A) Where a copy of the full register is made available by providing the register on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, the Office and GROS shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on, which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to–
(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or
(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic, or any other, means.”.
(7) In paragraph (5), after “full register” insert “, whether a printed copy or in data form,”.
(8) After paragraph (5) insert–
“(6) A person employed by the Office or GROS is not prohibited from supplying a copy of, or disclosing information contained in, a version of the full register where–
(a)more than ten years have expired since that version of the register was first published in accordance with regulation 43; and
(b)the supply or disclosure is for research purposes in compliance with the relevant conditions.
(7) No person who obtains a copy of the full register or to whom information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register is disclosed under the circumstances described in paragraph (6) may–
(a)supply a copy of it,
(b)disclose any such information, or
(c)make use of any such information,
otherwise than for research purposes in compliance with the relevant conditions.”.