HC Deb 21 June 1976 vol 913 cc417-9W
Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list every different circumstance in which officials of his Department, and of all public bodies ultimately answerable to himself, have search and entry powers into either the homes or the business premises of British citizens, with in each case reference to the appropriate statutory authority for the exercise of such powers.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

In addition to my own Department I am responsible for the seven Northern Ireland Departments and other public bodies in Northern Ireland. It would require a disproportionate effort to establish every different circumstance in which my officials can exercise search and entry powers. However, listed below are the statutory authorities by which officials in Northern Ireland have powers of entry. Certain of these Acts and regulations also authorise, where necessary, the inspection of premises, the taking of samples and the taking and examining of records.

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