§ 45. Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement of staffing levels at Land Registry offices; and what increase in work he expects in the medium term.
Mr. John M. TaylorA contracting workload has meant that, since 1989, staffing levels have been reduced by over 2,300 posts, but the registry retains the capacity to respond to recovery in the property market. The registry is planning for a workload increase of 20 per cent. between 1993 and 1998.
§ Mr. BruceI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. I wonder whether he will be able to fit into his busy schedule a visit to Weymouth Land Registry office, where I am sure that he will have a warm welcome from the very efficient staff there. I know that they are very keen to see the Chancellor's Budget tomorrow, which I am sure will increase the number of houses being bought and therefore registered and hence the number of jobs in Weymouth in my constituency.
Mr. TaylorI am pleased to accept my hon. Friend's invitation. It is my intention to go to Weymouth to see the Land Registry and I hope that for some part of that visit my hon. Friend will be able to join me.