HC Deb 07 July 1961 vol 643 c173W
Mr. McAdden

asked the Minister of Works how many officials of his Department are authorised to enter private residential and landed property without the necessity of obtaining the owner's or occupier's permission.

Lord John Hope

Thirty officers of my Ministry, as agents of the Minister of Power, have authority under Section 21 (1) of the Land Powers (Defence) Act, 1958, to enter upon any land, other than land covered by buildings, for the purpose of surveying that land in connection with pipeline development.

I have power under Section 9 of the Ancient Monuments Act, 1931, to authorise any person to enter upon land believed to contain an ancient monument. This power does not extend to dwelling-houses or any building, park, garden, pleasure ground or other land used for the amenity or convenience of a dwelling-house except with the consent of the occupier. It has been exercised only once.

Under Section 10 (2) of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953, the Ancient Monuments Board may in certain circumstances authorise any person to enter premises other than dwelling houses to inspect a monument. This power has never been exercised.

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