Social Security Act 1986

31Information

(1)The Secretary of State may supply to authorities such information of a prescribed description obtained by reason of the exercise of any of his functions under the benefit Acts as they may require in connection with any of their functions relating to housing benefit.

(2)Authorities shall supply to the Secretary of State such information of a prescribed description obtained by reason of the exercise of their functions relating to housing benefit as he may require in connection with any of his functions under the benefit Acts.

(3)It shall also be the duty of an authority to supply the Secretary of State, in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time—

(a)with such information as he may require concerning their performance of any of their functions relating to housing benefit; and

(b)with such information as he may require to enable him—

(i)to prepare estimates of likely future amounts of housing benefit expenditure ; and

(ii)to decide questions relating to the development of housing benefit policy.

(4)Every authority granting housing benefit—

(a)shall take such steps as appear to them appropriate for the purpose of securing that persons who may be entitled to housing benefit from the authority become aware that they may be entitled to' it; and

(b)shall make copies of the housing benefit scheme, with any modifications adopted by them under section 28 above, available for public inspection at their principal office at all reasonable hours without payment.

(5)In order to assist authorities to give effect to the housing benefit scheme, where a rent is registered under Part IV of the [1977 c. 42.] Rent Act 1977. there shall be noted on the register the amount (if any) of the registered rent which, in the opinion of the rent officer or rent assessment committee, is fairly attributable to the provision of services, except any amount which is negligible in the opinion of the officer or, as the case may be, the committee.