Section 31 Seizure of itemsI1

England, Wales and Scotland Not yet in force

(1)

This section applies where a person exercises the power of seizure and removal in section 29 (1)(d).

(2)

The person must, on request by any person appearing to be in charge of the premises—

(a)

give a receipt for the thing seized, and

(b)

in the case of a document readily capable of being copied, give a copy of it.

(3)

The thing seized may be retained in the possession of the Secretary of State for so long as the Secretary of State considers necessary for any of the investigative purposes (irrespective of the purpose for which it was initially obtained).

(4)

For any such purpose, a person acting on behalf of the Secretary of State may—

(a)

examine the thing seized (using reasonable force if necessary), and

(b)

record (in whatever form) any information obtained from the thing seized.

(5)

The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make further provision about how the thing seized is to be dealt with.

(6)

Such regulations may, in particular—

(a)

authorise the retention or use of the thing seized for purposes other than the investigatory purposes;

(b)

authorise the delivery of the thing seized to a person other than its owner;

(c)

authorise the destruction of the thing seized.

Annotations

Commencement

I1: S. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 99(1)