§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail the powers of search and entry held by the police under his jurisdiction.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesWhile I have no authority to interpret the law, my understanding is that powers corresponding to those of police officers in England and Wales are available to members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, with the addition of certain temporary powers under the Emergency Provisions Acts 1973 and 1975. It is for the courts to decide in any particular case whether the police have acted in accordance with the law.