§ 13. Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proof of identity and authority by local and central government officials or the servants of statutory undertakings in Scotland is given when they seek access to private homes.
§ Mr. RifkindWhere officials of my right hon. Friend's Department have a statutory right of access to private premises they are provided with certificates of identity and, where appropriate, entry authorisations.
Information about powers of officials in local government and other statutory bodies is not available centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. HendersonIs my hon. Friend aware that there is considerable concern about evidence of increasing crime resulting from bogus officials seeking access to houses? Will he take steps to investigate the nature of this type of development? Does he agree that the best way to prevent this form of crime developing is for householders to insist on proof of identity and for officials to have no hesitation in offering it?
§ Mr. RifkindMy hon. Friend is correct. It is highly desirable that all members of the public, especially the elderly, should insist on identification before allowing any stranger into their homes.