RIGHT OF ENTRY TO HOMES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25305, 3 October 1947, Page 9

RIGHT OF ENTRY TO HOMES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ATTITUDE

The right to enter and inspect private premises given to the Building Controller under the new building regulations was discussed by the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening, when a letter on the subject was received from Mr L. G. Amos. In his letter Mr Amos asked if the Chamber of Commerce intended to protest against the clause in the regulations, which, he said, affected the rights of citizens. Mr L. J. Hensley said that the clause gave the right of entry and inspection to the Building Controller or anybody authorised by him. It had to be a person authorised in writing, which gave a measure of responsibility and protection. “I think it is a penalty we have to pay for our coTnplex civilisation that we have to. admit a lot of people to our homes,” said Mr Hensley. “We may imagine we have got a lot of liberties, but we know we haven’t. Mr Amos, I imagine, is thinking of the old adage that an Englishman’s home is his castle, but I think that is an outmoded theory to-day. Our liberties are more fettered in some respects than they were during the war.” Mr Hensley added that he did not think there was anything in the regulations to which the Chamber of Commerce could take exception.