Section 40 Disclosure of information to credit reference agenciesI1I2

After section 49C of the Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48) (inserted by section 39 of this Act) insert—

“Disclosure of information to credit reference agencies

49D

(1)

Subject to subsection (3), the F1Secretary of State may supply qualifying information to a credit reference agency for use for the purpose of furnishing information relevant to the financial standing of individuals.

(2)

The reference in subsection (1) to qualifying information is to information which—

(a)

is held by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Act,

(b)

relates to a person who is liable to pay child support maintenance, and

(c)

is of a prescribed description.

(3)

Information may not be supplied under subsection (1) without the consent of the person to whom it relates, unless a liability order against that person is in force.

(4)

No provision may be made under section 14(3) authorising the supply of information by the Secretary of State to credit reference agencies.

(5)

In this section, “credit reference agency” has the same meaning as in the Consumer Credit Act 1974.”