If an investigator considers it necessary for the purposes of an investigation, the investigator may—
In subsection (1)(b) the reference to inspecting and taking copies of any document includes requiring any document which is kept in electronic form to be produced in a form in which it is legible and can be taken away.
Where any document, equipment or other item is seized by an investigator, or any copy of a document is taken, it may be retained by the HSSIB for so long as is necessary for the purposes of the investigation.
An investigator exercising any power conferred by this section must, if asked, produce evidence of the investigator’s authority from the HSSIB to act on its behalf.
The powers conferred by subsection (1) may be exercised in relation to premises in which there is a Crown interest, but only if the HSSIB gives reasonable notice to the occupier of the premises of its intention to enter and inspect the premises.
But if the Secretary of State certifies that it appears to the Secretary of State appropriate in the interests of national security that the powers conferred by subsection (1)—
those powers are not exercisable in relation to those premises or (as the case may be) are not exercisable except in the circumstances specified.
In this section “Crown interest” means—