§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many officials for whom he has responsibility currently have the power to enter and search premises, subject to statutory conditions and, in each case, if he will indicate the statutory authority under which power is exercised.
§ Mr. FowlerOfficials' power to enter premises is described in the following legislation as powers of entry, inspection and/or examination for specific purposes. The numbers of officials and statutory authorities are:
- (a) 16 Medicines Inspectors
- (b) 101 Social Services Inspectors
- —National Assistance (Powers of Inspection) Regulations 1948;
- —Mental Health (Powers of Inspection) Regulations 1960;
- —Child Care Act 1980;
- (c) 2,886 Social Security Officials — last count February 1985
- —Social Security Act 1975;
- —Social Security (Miscellaneous) Provisions 1977;
- —Emergency Laws (Re-enactment Repeals) Act 1964.
In addition, there are officials authorised by district health authorities under the Registered Homes Act 1984 and the Nursing Homes and Mental Nursing Homes Regulations 1984. The number of officials so authorised is not known centrally.