HC Deb 13 November 1987 vol 122 cc344-5W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing each of the consultation documents published by him in respect of proposals regarding the reorganisation of education in Wales and in respect of each (a) the date of publication, (b) the closing date for receipt of responses, (c) the number issued of each document and (d) the closing date of responses from (i) individuals and (ii) bodies and institutions.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The information is as follows:

Mr. Lilley

Local records of personal searches are kept at ports and airports, but Customs have only recently started to keep strip search data separately and in a way suitable for central collection. There is no record of the information sought for the periods in question. During 1986, 46,215 personal searches were made, but the major part of these involve at most removal of outer clothing only. This total figure represents about 0.1 per cent. of passengers arriving.

Under section 164(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 a person who is to be searched may request to be taken before either a justice of the peace or a superior of the examining officer who will consider the grounds for suspicion and confirm whether or not the search is to take place. This right of appeal is notified to the passenger as a matter of course prior to search.

Customs officers must have regard to the revelant provisions of the code of practice provided for by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. In addition, officers are given guidance in internal departmental instructions in respect of search procedures.