§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many men and how many women have been strip-searched by customs officials at Gatwick airport in the last year; and what guidelines have been issued to customs officials on strip-searches.
§ Mr. Lilley[holding answer 28 July 1988]: Customs set up central records on search of the person in July 1987, but these records do not identify separately searches of men and women. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. For the period 1 July 1987 to 31 March 1988, 1,834 persons were strip-searched at Gatwick.
Section 164 of the Customs and Excise Act 1979 provides that officers may search persons where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that dutiable, prohibited or restricted goods are being carried. Customs officers are also obliged under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to have regard to the relevant provisions of the codes of practice, including those concerning questioning of suspects and personal search in custody. In addition, officers are given guidance on search procedures in internal instructions and training courses.