Powers of Entry

Thursday 27th November 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Brokenshire)]

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Lord Bates) has today made the following written ministerial statement:

The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 required Ministers across Government to undertake a review of powers of entry. The Act required Ministers who are members of the Cabinet with responsibility for powers of entry to examine their powers and to consider whether they are still necessary, proportionate and contain sufficient safeguards.

Ministers of each Department have now concluded their reviews and prepared reports which will be laid before Parliament today.

These reports show that a total of 1,237 powers of entry have been subject to review. The Government are proposing a significant reduction in the overall number of powers which will leave a total of 912. The Government have also ensured that, where necessary, remaining powers will have additional safeguards added via legislation to ensure appropriate use of the powers. The number of powers for which it is proposed to add safeguards is 231.