§ 17. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the powers he possesses concerning the role of the police in the detention of people entering the country in the possession of contraband.
§ Dr. SummerskillMy right hon. Friend possesses no such powers.
§ Mr. AdleyDo the police have clear and unambiguous powers to apprehend, without prior reference to Customs, port or health authorities, people suspected of being about to break or of breaking, the animal quarantine regulations? Much of the problem is likely to arise in small harbours rather than in the large ports on which the Government seem to be concentrating most of their efforts.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe responsibility for directing the police officers in the enforcement of the law rests with the chief officers of police concerned. The principal rôle in enforcing the law on contraband is performed by Customs officers, but the police co-operate closely with them. If the hon. Gentleman has particulars of any local difficulty, perhaps he will inform the chief officer of police in the area concerned.