Part III Investigations and Powers to Obtain Information

Amendments of the Companies Act 1985

69 Protection of banking information.

1

Section 452 of the M1Companies Act 1985 (privileged information) is amended as follows.

2

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

After that subsection insert—

1A

Nothing in section 434, 443 or 446 requires a person (except as mentioned in subsection (1B) below) to disclose information or produce documents in respect of which he owes an obligation of confidence by virtue of carrying on the business of banking unless—

a

the person to whom the obligation of confidence is owed is the company or other body corporate under investigation,

b

the person to whom the obligation of confidence is owed consents to the disclosure or production, or

c

the making of the requirement is authorised by the Secretary of State.

1B

Subsection (1A) does not apply where the person owing the obligation of confidence is the company or other body corporate under investigation under section 431, 432 or 433.

4

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .