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                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
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###### Securities and Exchange Commission

*Upon Written Request, Copy Available From:*                     Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, 450 Fifth Street, NW, 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 485 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 257,770 annual burden hours.                          ( print page 118)    

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 Michael E. Bartell, Associate Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549.

Dated: December 20, 2001.

Margaret H. McFarland,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 01-32201  Filed 12-31-01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010-01-M