HC Deb 18 October 1944 vol 403 cc2473-4

4.22 p.m.

The Attorney-General

I beg to move, in page 51, line 19, leave out from beginning to "a," in line zo, and insert "Where a Minister or."

This and the six following Amendments deal with points which were raised, I think in particular by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Kensington (Captain Duncan) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Peters-field. (Sir G. Jeffreys). The point is not an unfamiliar one. It is the question of whether there ought not to be certain safeguards and restrictions with regard to the right of entry of officials into people's houses in order to make the necessary inspections. We have met this problem in this context to the satisfaction of the House, by providing that the Valuation Officer may be authorised, and by providing that he should produce an authorisation if required. Also, I think it is very reasonable that entry cannot be claimed as a right unless 24 hours' notice be given. The family might be out, there might be some small girl in charge, and she might not know what to do. If he wants to enter as a right he must give 24 hours' notice. I think the words speak for themselves.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made:

In page 51, line 20, leave out from "authority," to "authorised," in line 22, and insert "is or are."

In line 22, after "purchase," insert "any land."

In line 23, leave out from "Act," to "for," in line 24, and insert: or has or have under consideration the purchase of any land as aforesaid, an officer of the Valuation Office or any person authorised in writing by the said Minister or authority may at all reasonable times, on producing, if so required, evidence of his authority in that behalf, enter on the land. In line 26, leave out "other," and insert "any."

In line 27, after "may," insert: at all reasonable times, on producing, if so required, evidence of his authority in that behalf. In line 30, at end, insert: (3) Notwithstanding anything in the preceding Sub-sections, admission shall not be demanded as of right to any land which is occupied, unless twenty-four hours' notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier."—[The Attorney-General.]