[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 224 (Monday, November 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 67968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-3268]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Upon Written Request, Copy Available From: Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 
20549.

Extension: Form N-14; SEC File No. 270-297; OMB Control No. 3235-
0336.

    Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is soliciting comments on the collection of 
information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this 
existing collection of information to the Office of Management and 
Budget for extension and approval.
    Form N-14--Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933 
for Securities Issued in Business Combination Transactions by 
Investment Companies and Business Development Companies. Form N-14 is 
used by investment companies registered under the Investment Company 
Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.] (``Investment Company Act'') and 
business development companies as defined by section 2(a)(48) of the 
Investment Company Act to register securities under the Securities Act 
of 1933 [15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.] to be issued in business combination 
transactions specified in Rule 145(a) (17 CFR 230.145(a)) and exchange 
offers. The securities are registered under the Securities Act to 
ensure that investors receive the material information necessary to 
evaluate securities issued in business combination transactions. The 
Commission staff reviews registration statements on Form N-14 for the 
adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure contained therein. Without Form 
N-14, the Commission would be unable to verify compliance with 
securities law requirements. The respondents to the collection of 
information are investment companies or business development companies 
issuing securities in business combination transactions. The estimated 
number of responses is 457 and the collection occurs only when a merger 
or other business combination is planned. The estimated total annual 
reporting burden of the collection of information is approximately 620 
hours per response for a new registration statement, and approximately 
350 hours per response for an amended Form N-14, for a total of 235,010 
annual burden hours.
    Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the Commission's mission, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's estimate of the 
burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) 
ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will 
be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 
days of this publication.
    Please direct your written comments to R. Corey Booth, Director/
Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

    Dated: November 15, 2004.
Margaret H. McFarland,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E4-3268 Filed 11-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P