§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will amend the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 to ensure that inquiry officers are prevented from entering private property unless they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that television is being watched illegally. [141095]
§ Janet AndersonTV Licensing's inquiry officers have no authority to enter any premises without the owner's or occupier's consent, unless authorised to do so by a search warrant issued by a justice of the peace in England, Wales or Northern Ireland or, in Scotland, a sheriff. Under section 15(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (as amended), a justice of the peace or a sheriff may issue a warrant if satisfied by information on oath that there is reasonable ground for suspecting that an offence under the Act has been or is being committed, and that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found on the premises specified. The Government consider that this provides adequate safeguards and therefore have no plans to amend the 1949 Act.