§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the powers and responsibilities of customs officers when questioning United Kingdom citizens arriving at ports of entry.
§ Mr. RyderCustoms officers' powers and responsibili-ties are set out in the Customs and Excise Management286W Act 1979. Under section 78 of that Act an officer may require a passenger to produce for examination his baggage and anything contained therein and to answer questions in respect of such items.
Customs officers must also have regard to the relevant provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its codes of practice.