178. Expenses of investigation of company’s affairs

The expenses of and incidental to an investigation by an inspector appointed by the Registrar under section 172 or section 173 shall be met in the first instance by the Registrar.

The following person shall, to the extent specified, be liable to repay the Registrar—

The report of an inspector appointed otherwise than of the Registrar’s own motion may if he thinks fit, and shall if the Registrar so directs, include a recommendation as to the directions (if any) which the inspector thinks appropriate to be given under the provisions of paragraph (c) of subsection (2) .

For the purposes of this section, any costs or expenses incurred by the Registrar in or in connection with proceedings brought under subsection (4) of section 177 (including expenses incurred under subsection (5) of that section) shall be treated as expenses of the investigation giving rise to the proceedings.

Any liability to repay the Registrar imposed by the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) shall, subject to satisfaction of the Registrar’s right to repayment, be a liability also to indemnify all persons against liability under the provisions of paragraph (c) of subsection (2), and any such liability imposed by the provisions of paragraph (a) shall, subject to as aforesaid, be a liability also to indemnify all persons against liability under the provisions of paragraph (b).

Any person liable under the provisions of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) or sub-paragraph (i) or sub-paragraph (ii)

The expenses to be met by the Registrar under this section shall so far as not recovered by him under it, be paid out of moneys provided by Parliament for the purpose.