Member

I reassure your Lordships’ Committee that we will stipulate in guidance that authorised officers must consider each time whether the use of the powers is justified when deciding whether a request for information should be made. This includes ensuring that the use of the powers is a proportionate way of obtaining the information deemed necessary for the purpose. We believe that the principle of reasonableness is already reflected in the drafting but also supported by our commitment to include this in guidance and independent inspection of powers.