Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982

20 (1) Without prejudice to any other provision of this Schedule an authorised officer of the district or islands council or the fire authority or a constable may, for the purposes specified in sub-paragraph (2) below, at any reasonable time enter and inspect any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall in relation to which a licence under this Schedule is in force or has been applied for.

(2) The purposes referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above are—

(a) where a licence is in force—

(i) seeing whether the terms of the licence are being complied with and, if they are not, obtaining information in respect of such non-compliance ;

(ii) obtaining information relevant to the question whether the licence should be renewed ;

(iii) seeing whether paragraph 11 above is being complied with ;

(iv) ascertaining whether any person is being employed contrary to paragraph 19(1) above or whether any person under the age of 18 has been permitted to enter the sex shop contrary to that paragraph ; or

(b) where the grant of a licence has been applied for, obtaining information relevant to the question whether the application should be granted.

(3) An authorised officer of a district or islands council or the fire authority shall not be entitled to exercise the powers which he may exercise under sub-paragraph (1) above until he has produced his authorisation to the person for the time being in charge of the premises, vehicle, vessel or stall.

(4) A constable who is not in uniform shall not be entitled to exercise the powers which he may exercise under sub-paragraph (1) above until he has produced his identification to the person for the time being in charge of the premises, vehicle, vessel or stall.

(5) Any person in charge of any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall who fails without reasonable excuse to permit a constable or an authorised officer of the district or islands council or the fire authority who, in pursuance of this paragraph, demands to do so to enter or inspect the premises, vehicle, vessel or stall or obstructs the entry thereto of a constable or such an officer in pursuance of this paragraph shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £200.