44Secretary may obtain information from third parties

#### 44 Secretary may obtain information from third parties 44 Secretary may obtain information from third parties > > (1) The Secretary may, by written notice, require an applicant or a close associate of the applicant— > > > > > (a) to authorise a person described in the notice— > > > > > > > (i) to provide information specified in the notice that is relevant to the investigation of the application, or > > > > > > > (ii) to produce, in accordance with directions in the notice, the records relevant to the investigation of the application that are specified in the notice and to permit examination of the records, the taking of extracts from them and the making of copies of them, or > > > > > (b) to furnish to the Secretary the authorities and consents that the Secretary directs for the purpose of enabling the Secretary to obtain information (including financial and other confidential information) from other persons concerning the applicant or close associate. > > > (2) If a requirement made under this section is not complied with, the Secretary may refuse to consider the application concerned while the non-compliance continues. > > > (3) A person who complies with a requirement of a notice under this section does not on that account incur a liability to another person.