Section 73

6 After Article 4 of the Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/418 (N.I.5)) insert -

"Data matching

4A Power to conduct data matching exercises

(1) The Comptroller and Auditor General may conduct data matching exercises or arrange for them to be conducted on his behalf.

(2) A data matching exercise is an exercise involving the comparison of sets of data to determine how far they match (including the identification of any patterns and trends).

(3) The power in paragraph (1) is exercisable for the purpose of assisting in the prevention and detection of fraud.

(4) That assistance may, but need not, form part of an audit.

(5) A data matching exercise may not be used to identify patterns and trends in an individual's characteristics or behaviour which suggest nothing more than his potential to commit fraud in the future.

(6) In Articles 4B to 4H, reference to a data matching exercise is to an exercise conducted or arranged to be conducted under this Article.

4B Mandatory provision of data

(1) The Comptroller and Auditor General may require -

(a) any body mentioned in paragraph (2); and

(b) any officer or member of such a body,