Page:Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance (Cap. 561).pdf/29

(5) Where an authorized person exercises his power under subsection (1), the licensee under the licence concerned shall, without charge, afford the authorized person such facilities or assistance as the authorized person may reasonably require for the purposes of the inspection concerned.

38. Power of authorized persons to enter premises

(1) A magistrate may issue a warrant under this section if satisfied by information upon oath by an authorized person that there are reasonable grounds for believing that an offence against this Ordinance is being, or has been, committed on any premises, and whether or not a licence relates to those premises.

(2) A warrant under this section shall authorize any named authorized person, together with such assistants as may be necessary—

(a) to enter the premises specified in the warrant, using such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose; and

(b) to search the premises and—

(i) take possession of anything which he has reasonable grounds to believe may be required to be used in evidence in any proceedings for an offence against this Ordinance; or

(ii) take such steps as appear to be necessary for preserving any such thing or preventing interference with it, including requiring any person having the power to do so to give such assistance as may reasonably be required.

(3) A warrant under this section shall continue in force until the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the day on which it is issued.

(4) Anything of which possession is taken under this section may be retained—

(a) for a period of 6 months; or

(b) if within that period proceedings to which the thing is relevant are commenced against any person for an offence against this Ordinance, until the conclusion of those proceedings.

(5) In this section—

(a) the references to things include information recorded in any form; and

(b) the reference in subsection (2)(b)(i) to taking possession of anything includes, in the case of information recorded otherwise than in legible form, requiring any person having the power to do so to produce a copy of the information in legible form and taking possession of the copy.