16Secretary may obtain information from third parties

#### 16 Secretary may obtain information from third parties 16 Secretary may obtain information from third parties > > (1) The Secretary may, by notice in writing, require an applicant or a close associate of the applicant— > > > > > (a) to authorise a person described in the notice— > > > > > > > (i) to provide such information as is specified in the notice as is relevant to the investigation of the application, or > > > > > > > (ii) to produce, in accordance with directions in the notice, such records relevant to the investigation of the application as 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 such authorities and consents as the Secretary directs for the purpose of enabling the Secretary to obtain information (including financial and other confidential information) from other persons concerning the person 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.