§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Energy, if he will list all Acts of Parliament for which his Department is responsible that require companies to disclose information, stating under each Act what information has to be disclosed, how, by when and to whom.
§ Mr. Bean,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th July 1977; Vol. 936, c. 238], gave the following further information
Under the Atomic Energy Act 1946 I may require any person to provide me with information of materials plant and processes connected with atomic energy.
Under the Energy Act 1976 I may give directions to any person carrying on an undertaking, to furnish, as and when specified, estimates, forecasts, returns and information relating to crude liquid petroleum, natural gas, petroleum products, any other substance used as fuel, or electricity. I may also ask for information and forecasts relating to the undertaking itself or its activities including its organisation and administration and the character and extent of its operations. I may exercise these powers if I consider it expedient for implementing obligations of the United Kingdom as a member of the EEC or of the International Energy Agency or as a party to the International Energy Agreement. The powers—except the power to direct that information or forecasts be furnished about an undertaking itself or its activities—may also be exercised if I consider it expedient for executing the Energy Act 1976. There are restrictions on release of the information.
Under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 and the 566W Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975 the model clauses set out in Schedule 2 Part II of this Act and regulations made under these Acts I can require information on offshore petroleum development. Some information can be published within certain constraints.
Without undue expenditure of time and money it is not possible to give full details of the nature of information which may be required, or of conditions of disclosure.