(1) The Minister may appoint one or more competent inspectors to investigate the affairs of a company and to report thereon in such manner as the Minister directs -
(a) in the case of a company having a share capital, on the application either of not less than one hundred members or of a member or members holding not less than one-tenth of the paid up share capital of the company;
(b) in the case of a company not having a share capital, on the application of not less than one-fifth in number of the persons on the company's register of members.
(2) The application shall be supported by such evidence as the Minister may require for the purpose of showing that the applicants have good reason for requiring the investigation, and the Minister may, before appointing an inspector, require the applicants to give security, to an amount not exceeding £250, for payment of the costs of the investigation.