(1) This section applies where the Treasury give an indemnity or guarantee to a company (“the company”) in which the Bank has an interest, in respect of an activity or series of activities undertaken by the company.

(2) The Treasury may direct the company to send to the Comptroller and Auditor General (“the Comptroller”) accounts prepared by it in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and any direction given by the Bank under section 7A(1).

(3) A direction given under subsection (2) -

(a) may relate to all financial years, or to financial years specified in the direction;

(b) may be revoked by a further direction.

(4) Where a direction given under subsection (2) has effect in relation to a financial year, the company is exempt from the requirements of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 (audit) for that financial year, and its balance sheet must include a statement to that effect.

(5) The Comptroller must examine any accounts sent to the Comptroller under this section with a view to satisfying himself or herself that the accounts have been properly prepared in all material respects in accordance with the bases of preparation identified in the accounts.

(6) After completing the examination the Comptroller must -