§ Mr. David Priceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list every different circumstance in which officials of his Department, and of all public bodies ultimately answerable to himself, have search and entry powers into either the homes or the business premises of
364Wand existing buildings, by public corporations and by the private sector. These figures are also shown as percentages of gross national product at factor cost. It should be noted that the nationalised steel undertakings were transferred from the private sector to the public corporations sector in July 1967.
British citizens, with in each case reference to the appropriate statutory authority for the exercise of such powers.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonOfficers of Customs and Excise have carefully delineated powers of entry and search for the general purposes of detection and prevention of tax evasion and smuggling. The specific objects of these powers, conditions under which they may be exercised, and the premises concerned, are set out in the following Acts of Parliament
Customs and Excise Act 1952—Sections 71, 106, 248, 249 and 296.Finance Act 1967—Section 5 and Schedule 6, paragraph 5.Hydrocarbon Oil (Customs and Excise) Act 1971—Section 22.Betting and Gaming Duties Act 1972—Schedule 1, paragraph 19; Schedule 2, paragraph 15; Schedule 3, paragraph 20 and Schedule 4, paragraph 18.Finance Act 1972—Section 37 and Schedule paragraph 21.