§ Lord Spensasked Her Majesty's Government:
What, if any, investigation was carried out into the takeover of Debenhams by Burtons; under what Act the investigation was instigated; who was appointed to conduct the investigations; and what were the final conclusions.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldIt is not the policy of the Government to announce or to comment on confidential enquiries under the Companies Act. Exceptionally, in April 1988 following public acknowledgement by the company, the Government confirmed that departmental officers were authorised under the provisions of Section 447 of the Companies Act 1985, which gives power to require the production of documents from a company and to require an explanation of them. Disclosure of information obtained under that section is restricted by Section 449 of the Act.