Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will begin an investigation into the liability of ScottishPower and the alleged mis-selling of cashback warranties.

Information was received in July 2014 from the liquidators of two companies involved in administering the cashback warranty scheme formerly sold by Scottish Power. This information has been reviewed by the Insolvency Service to determine whether or not any further investigation is warranted using powers available in the Companies Act.

The liquidation of the companies involved in the scheme is still under way, and the creditors of those companies will receive reports from the liquidators if they are to be paid further dividends.

Investigations conducted under section 447 Companies Act 1985 are confidential; therefore it is not our practice to announce whether or not such an investigation is taking place, or to report on the investigation outside of strict statutory gateways.