Member

To ensure the stand-alone power of reasonable force benefits from the safeguards provided by alignment with PACE, DWP authorised investigators will still operate in compliance with PACE code B in their exercise of search and seizure powers. My Department is working closely with the Home Office on this. Officials in the Home Office have confirmed that secondary legislation will be laid before Parliament to insert the relevant clauses of this Bill on reasonable force into PACE code B when parliamentary time allows. I have repeatedly assured the House that the DWP policy position is that DWP authorised investigators will not use reasonable force against people, and I believe that the amendments put that beyond doubt.