§ 28. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to establish in each local authority area approved conveyancing clerks appointed by the local authority to carry out the conveyancing associated with house purchase, in order to reduce the legal costs associated with house purchase and sale.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonNo, Sir. Apart from the fact that in present circumstances it would not be right to impose such a burden on local authority staffs and finances, I do not believe this is the best way to deal with the problem.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my hon. Friend aware that this is one of the bugbears in house purchase? Bearing in mind the conveyancing fees that have to be paid—in some cases the conveyancing is negligible—will he assist young couples to purchase houses by doing what the Question asks?
§ Dr. MabonMy hon. Friend knows how complex the conveyancing situation is in Scotland. I think that he knows that the Secretary of State has under urgent review the reform of land tenure and conveyancing law. We are about to make detailed arrangements for the introduction of registration of title, a principle which we accepted some time ago. But we still have the detailed recommendations of the Henry Committee and one or two other matters to consider. I hope that my right hon. Friend will make a statement in a few months.
Mr. W. H. K. BakerDoes the Minister agree that it might be a useful occupation for some of the members of the useless Land Commission to undertake?
§ Dr. MabonI think that the hon. Gentleman will regret that if he looks at what the Land Commission has done so well in Scotland in relation to the 1366 acquisition of land both for local authorities and private owners.