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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under which provisions of the Utilities Act 2000 she is prevented from making public the findings of the Engineering Inspectorate of its inquiry into the power failures in London and Birmingham; and if she will make a statement. [151346] Mr. Timms: [holding answer 27 January 2004]: Section 105 of the Utilities Act 2000 places general restrictions on the disclosure of information relating to the affairs of any individual or to any particular business obtained by virtue of the provisions of the Act, Part I of the Gas Act 1986 or Part I of the Electricity Act 1989 during the lifetime of the individual or so long as the business continues. Disclosure is permissible with the consent of the individual or the person for the time being carrying on the business. Disclosure is also permitted in limited circumstances, for example where it is necessary for the purpose of facilitating the performance of certain functions of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry or regulatory authorities or where it is required by a licence holder in order to fulfil a condition of his licence. Section 105 makes unauthorised disclosure of information obtained under the 2000 Act, or under Part I of the 1986 Act or Part I of the 1989 Act, a criminal offence.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

417 c598W; 151346

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Disclosure of information Birmingham Inquiries Greater London Energy supply Electricity Power failures

Legislation

Utilities Act 2000

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk