Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 14 November 2007 (WA 25), under which Acts and secondary legislation listed in the Schedule to the Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL] officials of the Department of Energy and Climate Change and of public or private bodies answerable to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change or otherwise exercising powers of entry can enter and search the homes or business premises of United Kingdom citizens.
Answer
Such powers of entry and search (or inspection) arise under the following legislation listed in the Schedule to the Bill: Biological Weapons Act 1974; Electricity Act 1989; Energy Act 1976; Gas Act 1965; Gas Act 1986; Nuclear Safeguards Act 2000; Pipe-lines Act 1962; Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 (read with the Gas Acts 1965 and 1986 and Electricity Act 1989); and Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1996.