HC Deb 31 January 1972 vol 830 cc26-7
33. Mr. Loughlin

asked the Attorney-General if he will submit proposals to extend Land Registration to the whole of England and Wales.

The Attorney-General

Extension of compulsory registration of title to land to the whole of England and Wales remains the policy of my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor. Further extensions of that system will be made as soon as circumstances permit. It would be impracticable to extend it to all outstanding areas in one operation.

Mr. Loughlin

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say when circumstances will permit? Is he aware that the Land Registration Act, 1925, will have been on the Statute Book almost 50 years in a matter of three years? In view of the distinct advantages, especially to people purchasing their own houses, when there will be a saving of a third of the conveyancing costs, will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman speed up the process a little?

The Attorney-General

The plan to extend compulsory registration to all the built-up areas was begun in 1964. In 1968 it was delayed or held back. But between 1968 and 1972 there has been added almost a further million properties, so that now two out of every five are subject to registration. I appreciate the importance of this issue. One of the problems is the updating of the Ordnance Survey, which also regulates the pace.