§ Sir R. Glynasked the Prime Minister how many Ministries have authority under defence or other regulations to carry out inspections and investigations involving the entry into private houses and premises without the necessity of first obtaining a search warrant; and whether, in view of the abuse such permission may carry with 98W it under normal peacetime conditions, he will have the whole matter reviewed and new instructions issued to the departments concerned
§ The Prime MinisterSeventeen Ministries have power to authorise inspections and investigations involving the entry into private houses and premises without a search warrant, but in only nine are officers of the Department at present authorised to carry out such inspections or investigations. While the present abnormal conditions continue, these powers are essential to the Government's policy of ensuring fair distribution of commodities at reasonable prices. Only rarely as, for example, when the premises are used for the purpose of trade or business, does their exercise involve entry into a private house.