Cap. 463 Art. 21Reports to the Minister.

(1) The Minister may, from time to time after consultation with the Corporation, give to the Corporation directions of a general character, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, on the policy to be followed by the Corporation in carrying out its functions under this Act.

(2) The Board shall give effect to the directions received from the Minister under this article.

(3) The Corporation shall provide to the Minister all such information with respect to the property and exercise of the functions of the Corporation, and shall furnish him with returns, accounts and other documents with respect thereto, and shall afford him all required facilities for the verification of information furnished in such manner and at such times as he may reasonably require.

(4) Save as may be otherwise required or permitted for the purposes of this Act, or in the course of a prosecution of an offence committed in relation to this Act, in carrying out its functions, the Corporation and its staff shall be bound by the provisions of the Professional Secrecy Act and shall not divulge any information about any applicant or any benefits granted to any applicant without the prior written consent of such applicant or as otherwise permitted by law.

(5) Every person having an official duty or being employed in the administration of this Act shall regard and deal with all documents and information relating to matters contemplated by or pursuant to the provisions of this Act as secret and confidential and shall make and subscribe before a Commissioner for Oaths a declaration to this effect in the form prescribed which shall be deposited with the Attorney General. Such persons shall not, unless the Prime Minister otherwise directs in writing, be required to produce to or before any court, tribunal, board, committee of enquiry or other authority, or to divulge to any such court, tribunal, board, committee of enquiry or other authority any matter or thing coming to their notice or being in their possession in the performance of their duties under this Act.

(6) Nothing in this article shall hinder the Corporation or its staff:

(a) from providing full access to the auditor of the Corporation to all information which is required for him to perform his duties;

(b) from providing full access to such other persons or authorities as are entitled to receive such information under provisions of applicable law for the carrying out of their functions;

(c) from providing full information to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for the purposes of the Income Tax Act;

(d) from preparing and publishing reports and statistical reviews which include information about benefits granted to applicants and beneficiaries of benefits which do not divulge specific names or other specific information which will permit the identification of individual applicants.