Commentary on Sections Supervision by Regulator Section 42 - Investigation; and Schedule 7 - Community interest companies: investigations
242.This section gives the Regulator powers to investigate the affairs of CICs, and to appoint people other than members of the Regulator’s staff to carry out such investigations.  This means that where necessary the Regulator can use third parties with appropriate expertise in particular areas, such as accountancy. The Regulator may also authorise members of his own staff to carry out investigations (paragraph 5 of Schedule 3). Subsection (3) gives effect to Schedule 7, which details the investigation powers conferred on the Regulator by clause 40.  These are powers to require a CIC or any other person to provide documents and information (paragraph 1).  The powers, and the further provisions contained in the Schedule (paragraphs 2 - 5), are based on the powers conferred on the Secretary of State under new section 447 of the Companies Act 1985..  It is intended that if, after using these powers, the Regulator concludes that a full investigation of a CIC may be required, he will refer the matter to the Companies Investigation Branch of the DTI, which will consider whether to carry out an investigation under Part 14 of the Companies Act 1985.