§ 27. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint an expert committee to consider proposals for amending the existing conveyancing statutes as recommended by the Reid Committee.
§ Lady TweedsmuirMy right hon. Friendis considering the Report and will make a statement when he has consulted the professional and other bodies concerned; this will cover the proposed appointment of a committee on conveyancing legislation.
§ Mr. HannanWill the noble Lady convey to her righthon. Friend the desirability of extending this Committee not merely to cover legal experts, who will be thinking of their own business, but also representatives of owner-occupiers who are paying these excessive fees? Some years ago the noble Lady expressed a view about "shiftless council tenants". Does she not recognise that high fees, coupled with high interest rates, are preventing many hundreds of young people from purchasing their own homes?
§ Lady TweedsmuirIt is certainly the case that both the owner-occupiers and property owners will be consulted, together with the legal profession and local authorities.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes the noble Lady know that there is a strong demand amongst the members of the Scottish legal profession for a change? They are fully conversant of the need for this Report to be implemented. Will she bear that fact in mind with a view to having something done urgently?
§ Lady TweedsmuirYes, Sir. That is exactly why the legal profession is being consulted.
§ Mr. T. FraserHow will the noble Lady consult the owner-occupiers?
§ Lady TweedsmuirThrough the various property associations.