§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. RidleyI may authorise persons to enter and in some cases inspect, but not search, premises under section 6(9) and section 7(6) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, under section 1(10) and section 7(3) of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 as amended by the Wildlife and Countryside Act and under Regulations 4(3) and 5(2) of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1985 (SI No. 1155). There are 105 wildlife inspectors who work on a casual, fee-paid, basis and are authorised under these powers.
Her Majesty's radiochemical inspectors has powers under section 12 of the Radio-active Substances Act 1960 to enter premises to carry out inspections. There are 17 radiochemical inspectors.
Sections 280 and 281 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 enable the Secretary of State to authorise persons to enter land for survey or inspection. Planning inspectors are thus authorised, but in practice when site visits are required they are always arranged with the parties concerned. There are 175 full-time salaried planning inspectors and 126 fee-paid inspectors.
472WUnder the Parks Regulations Act 1872, as amended by the Parks Regulation Amendment Acts of 1926 and 1974, royal parks police constables whilst within the royal parks have the same powers as the Metropolitan police. There are 153 royal parks constables.