§ Brian WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers. [136124]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Department does not have powers of the type referred to by my hon. Friend and consequently there will not be any powers superseded by the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
The Department may have powers that are similar in effect (such as section 497B of the Education Act 1996—a right in specified circumstances to inspect and take copies of documents held by a local authority), however, collating a full response on such powers will not be possible on grounds of disproportionate cost.