§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what training is given to officers in his Department and in public bodies ultimately answerable to him, who have powers of search and entry, with regard to surveillance techniques and methods of gaining entry into business premises and private homes.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to the reply, 1 November 1979, c. 671]: The powers to which my hon. Friend referred in his reply on 25 October—[Vol. 972, c. 302]—are normally exercised, as regards business premises and private homes used for business purposes, with the co-operation of the owner or occupier. The officers having these powers are given, as part of their general training, specific instruction and guidance on the extent and limitations of their powers. Other officers with 170W similar rights are employed by public bodies for which my right hon. Friend is ultimately responsible; information about the training of these officers is not available to me and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.