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Private Property (Powers Of Entry)

Volume 645: debated on Tuesday 25 July 1961

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asked the Prime Minister whether he will require Ministers in charge of Depaitments to carry out a review of the powers of entry to private property of officials of their Departments and of the nationalised industries for which they are responsible.

These powers have been conferred by Statute where Parliament has considered them necessary in the public interest. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any instances of unnecessary powers or excessive use of powers, I will have them examined.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will require Ministers in charge of Departments to present him every six months with up-to-date totals of the numbers of officials of their Departments who are empowered to enter private property without obtaining prior permission.

Given existing controls over numbers, I doubt whether regular returns of officials with powers of entry are needed, but I am ready to look at this again in the light of any particular case which my hon. Friend may bring to my attention.