311.This Part sets out the powers of the Authority to require the production of information and documents, to require reports to be compiled, to conduct investigations and to obtain access to premises.  Many of these powers are also held concurrently by the Secretary of State in recognition of his wider responsibilities in relation to company law.
312.The powers provided for in this Part are in addition to the specific powers conferred on the Authority by other provisions of the Act to request information from unauthorised persons in particular circumstances, such as in connection with an application for authorisation or recognition.  They enable the Authority to require information on an ad hoc basis and therefore supplement the Authority’s ability to make rules requiring authorised persons to provide it with information on a routine basis under its general rule-making power (section 138).
313.Under section 177, failure to comply with any requirement imposed using any of the powers in this Part can be certified to the court and dealt with by the court as if the defaulter were in contempt.
314.None of the powers in this Part may be used to require the disclosure of material which is protected by section 413.
Commentary on Sections Part Xi: Information Gathering & Investigations