248Provision and exchange of information

248 Provision and exchange of information

248 Provision and exchange of information

(1AA) The functions referred to in subsection (1) may be exercised by the Secretary for any one or more of the following purposes—

(a) for the purposes of providing information to, or exchanging information with, a prescribed body,

(b) for the purpose of exercising the functions of the Secretary.

(1) The Secretary may do either or both of the following—

(a) the Secretary may, in accordance with the requirements (if any) prescribed by the regulations, furnish a prescribed body with information relating to the safety, welfare and well-being of a particular child or young person or class of children or young persons,

(b) the Secretary may, in accordance with the requirements (if any) prescribed by the regulations, direct a prescribed body to furnish the Secretary with information relating to the safety, welfare and well-being of a particular child or young person or class of children or young persons.

(1A) Information about the following may be furnished under this section in the same way as information about a child or young person or class of children or young persons may be furnished—

(a) an unborn child who is the subject of a pre-natal report under section 25,

(b) the family of an unborn child the subject of such a report,

(c) the expected date of birth of an unborn child the subject of such a report.

(2) It is the duty of a prescribed body to whom a direction is given under subsection (1)(b) to comply promptly with the requirements of the direction.

(3) If information is furnished under subsection (1) or (1A)—

(a) the furnishing of the information is not, in any proceedings before a court, tribunal or committee, to be held to constitute a breach of professional etiquette or ethics or a departure from accepted standards of professional conduct, and

(b) no liability for defamation is incurred because of the furnishing of the information, and

(c) the furnishing of the information does not constitute a ground for civil proceedings for malicious prosecution or for conspiracy.