(1) After section 1224 of the Companies Act 2006 (Secretary of State's power to call for information) insert -

"1224A. Restrictions on disclosure

(1) This section applies to information (in whatever form) -

(a) relating to the private affairs of an individual, or

(b) relating to any particular business,

that is provided to a body to which this section applies in connection with the exercise of its functions under this Part or sections 522 to 524 (notification to appropriate audit authority of resignation or removal of auditor).

(2) This section applies to -

(a) a recognised supervisory body,

(b) a recognised qualifying body,

(c) a body performing functions for the purposes of arrangements within paragraph 23(1) (independent monitoring of certain audits) or paragraph 24(1) (independent investigation of public interest cases) of Schedule 10,

(d) the Independent Supervisor,

(e) the Secretary of State, and

(f) a body designated by the Secretary of State under section 1252 (delegation of the Secretary of State's functions).