Commentary on Clauses 1 to 4 Clause 4: Arrangements for payments in respect of information
68.Clause 4(1) provides that it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that such arrangements as he considers appropriate (if any) are in place to ensure that he can authorise such payments as he thinks appropriate and in cases that he thinks fit, in respect of organisations subject to “relevant obligations”.  The organisations that may be paid under these arrangements are credit reference agencies, telecommunications, gas, water and electricity providers and the servants and agents of the above. Payments may also be made to persons added to the list at section 109B(2A) by Order as provided for in Clause 1(3) and their servants and agents.
69.Clause 4(2) defines “relevant obligation” for the purposes of subsection (1).
70.Clause 4(3) provides that the Secretary of State may make arrangements for payments to be made from money provided by Parliament in order to comply with his duties under this section.
71.Clause 4(4) provides that authorities administering Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit shall be under a duty to comply with any specific or general directions that the Secretary of State makes regarding payments in accordance with arrangements made under clause 4(1).