§ Q22. Mr. Alexanderasked the Prime Minister if she will bring forward legislation setting out the rights and duties of officials from all Government Departments who have a right of entry to business premises under existing legislation, together with the practice to be adopted in the exercise of such powers.
§ The Prime MinisterI shall be asking Ministers in charge of the Departments concerned to review all those categories of inspectors with statutory powers to enter business premises with a view to seeing that there are no more inspectors than are needed, and their powers are no greater than necessary, for the efficient functioning of the authorities concerned.
I shall also ask them to consider whether any further measures are needed to ensure that business men and private 278W persons likely to be affected are fully informed as to the rights and duties of these inspectors.
I am still considering how best to proceed on this issue.