Committee

Part of Powers of Entry etc. Bill [HL] – in the House of Lords at 10:45 am on 5 March 2010.

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Photo of Lord Selsdon Lord Selsdon Conservative 10:45, 5 March 2010

My Lords, I did not add my name to the clause stand part question tabled by my noble friend because sometimes you get out of your depth. I suppose one would say:

"A little learning is a dangerous thing;

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,And drinking largely sobers us again".

One has the ability in this great House to go back into the past and the distant past. With the help of the Library and the archives I went back to the Pentateuch, Roman law and Norman law. I was given something that I thought was terribly important and which made me change my mind about my noble friend's intervention. It was about entry under warrant by George II and is very appropriate. Perhaps I may put my glasses on and read. After the 29th day of September 1757,

"on bequest made to him, her, or them to open the same by any Peace Officer authorised to search there by Warrant from any Justice or Justices of the Peace, for the County, Riding, Division, City, Liberty, Town, or Place in which such House, Warehouse, or other Place shall be situate, refuse to open the same and permit the same to be searched, it shall be lawful for any such Peace Officer to break open any such House, Warehouse, or other Place"- in the daytime-

"and to search as he shall think fit therein for the Goods"- and chattels-

"suspected to be there, doing no wilful Damage".

That refers to a warrant. I was perfectly happy with the idea of a court order, but I surrender to the wisdom of my noble friend.