HC Deb 23 May 1950 vol 475 cc1848-9
63. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give, by Departments, the number of officials who have the power of entry into private houses, offices and factories, respectively.

Mr. Jay

As the information is somewhat lengthy, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir W. Smithers

May I ask the Financial Secretary whether all those officials have the right of entry into private premises, even though it is not practised?

Mr. Jay

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the answer, he will have that information.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

While the answer may be long, could the hon. Gentleman give the total number?

Mr. Jay

No, I do not think I had better give individual details.

Mr. Shackleton

Is it not a fact that many of these powers arose from Acts of Parliament passed by previous Governments, and would my hon. Friend draw attention to the Lunacy Act, which has these provisions?

Mr. Jay

It is the case that most of these powers have been placed on the Statute Book by past Conservative Governments and I am, therefore, looking into the matter to see whether they are all necessary.

Following is the answer:

OFFICIALS WITH POWER OF ENTRY
(The figures shown in Column (2) are included in Column (3))
Department Number who have power to enter private houses used exclusively as such Number who have power to enter business premises, land and private houses not used exclusively as such
(1) (2) (3)
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries … — 2,979
Ministry of Civil Aviation … — 48
Customs and Excise … — 1,800
Ministry of Education … — 580
Ministry of Food … — 1,112
Forestry Commission … — 100
Ministry of Fuel and Power … — 267
Ministry of Health … 20 136
Home Office … — 77
Inland Revenue … 2,667 2,667
Ministry of Labour and National Service … — 2,430
Ministry of National Insurance … — 809
Ordnance Survey Office … — 2,411
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research … — 94
Tithe Redemption Commission … — 198
Board of Trade … — 173
Ministry of Transport … — 907
War Damage Commission and Central Land Board … 998 998
Department of Agriculture for Scotland … — 350
Scottish Education Department … — 122
Department of Health for Scotland … — 18
Scottish Home Department … — 66
TOTAL … 3,685 18,342