The Act – Overview General and miscellaneous Section 117 Disclosure of information
223.This section provides for the circumstances in which a relevant authority may disclose information held by it. Subsection (1) allows disclosure to another relevant authority where this is required to facilitate either authority’s functions under this or any other Act for protection of public health. Subsection (2) allows disclosure to any other person if the authority considers this to be necessary for the protection of public health. Although information may be disclosed under these provisions, despite any prohibition or restriction on such disclosure imposed by or under any enactment or rule of law, the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998 must still be met. A person who discloses information under this section will not be subject to any civil or criminal liability due to the disclosure.
224.Subsection (8) defines “relevant authority”, which includes the Scottish Ministers, health boards, local authorities, and the Common Services Agency. This meaning may, however, be amended by the Scottish Ministers, by regulations. The Scottish Ministers may also give guidance on the disclosure of information, and subsection (11) requires persons giving or receiving information to have regard to that guidance.