It's the 1st January not the 1st April
I have no idea whether this story has gone 'national' yet but the most bonkers story of the week so far concerns the revelation that local councillors now have 1,043 state powers of entry into any individuals house is worrying to say the least. Now powers of entry aren't a new thing, of the 1,043 a mere 400 have been created since Labour came to power in 1997, what is interesting among the list is the one that dates from 1952. Under the Hypnotism Act 1952 councillors have the right to inspect a property to ensure that illegal or unregulated hypnotism in not taking place.
What I'd like to know is under what circumstances would suspicion be aroused that any hypnotism, legal or illegal, was taking place. Spotting your neighbour in their underwear dancing around the garden making clucking noises perhaps? Sitting on the roof trying to spear passing pigeons with a biro?
When I get to three you'll be back in the room, one....two...and three.....
2 comments:
I worked for local government for 27 years and I honestly can't recall "council officials" using any powers to go uninvited into anyone's home. We've all heard of Police and social workers taking children away but even that seems to be a thing of the past.
I saw a similar article in the press recently : looks like just another case of "council bashing" to me.
I think it's only come to light because the freedom of information act is being used more often. It made the local press because the councillors themselves didn't realise how many people were being employed to carry out these special powers.
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