The Secretary of State may direct a local authority ... to provide information of the kind specified in subsection (2) to the Secretary of State for the purposes of enabling—
arrangements to be made under section 69, or
the Secretary of State to exercise functions under section 72.
The information mentioned in subsection (1) is—
information about the support or accommodation provided to children who are looked after by the local authority within the meaning of the relevant provisions;
such other information as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
A local authority which is directed to provide information under this section must provide it—
in such form and manner as the Secretary of State may direct, and
before such time or before the end of such period as the Secretary of State may direct.
In this section "local authority" and "relevant provisions" have the same meanings as in section 69.