Estate Agents (Hansard, 2 May 1977)

§ 7. Mr. Newens
asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what progress has been made on the preparation of legislation to control estate agents.

§ Mr. John Fraser
I have nearly completed consideration of the representations we have received and I hope shortly to put forward firm proposals for early legislation.

§ Mr. Newens
Is my hon. Friend aware of the time that has elapsed since the matter was first raised and since my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Weetch) embarked upon his admirable campaign to seek to lower the cost of house buying and give greater guarantees to home buyers? Is it not high time that we had action? Will he take every possible step to ensure that legislation is introduced at the earliest possible opportunity?

§ Mr. Fraser
As a private Member, I put forward my own Bill and I should like the legislation to go through as soon as possible. I am deeply grateful for the Private Member's Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Weetch). It will act as an important catalyst and shows the general support for legislation on this subject, not only from the general public but from the professions as well.

§ Mr. McCrindle
Will the Minister take this opportunity of confirming that the majority of estate agents are honest and trustworthy and that they would be at the forefront in wishing legislation to be introduced to take care of the minority who are not? Will he also confirm that self-regulation may be the best basis of legislation when it is introduced?

§ Mr. Fraser
Of course the majority of agents are honest and reputable, and that is why they want the legislation as much as do the general public. On the second point, I have reconsidered the licensing system and I should hope to base legislation as far as possible on self-regulation, although that leaves problems with certain unattached estate agents.

§ Mr. Ioan Evans
When my hon. Friend is considering legislation, will he introduce a provision to enable local authorities to enter into this type of business, because it would be of advantage to house owners and house sellers if local authorities could undertake that type of work?

§ Mr. Fraser
I shall certainly give consideration to my hon. Friend's suggestion.