§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Prime Minister if she will list the reforms which her Government have introduced in the conveyancing of homes since 1979; and which other areas are currently under consideration for such further reforms.
§ The Prime MinisterThe following measures designed to improve the conveyancing process have been introduced by the Government since 1979
(1) the Administration of Justice Act 1985 which established licensed conveyancers; (2) the Building Societies Act 1986 which provided for the conveyancing of property by financial institutions.The Courts and Legal Services Bill currently being considered in another place includes provision for authorised conveyancing practitioners. The conveyancing standing committee at the Law Commission has published guides as to improvements in conveyancing practice on the following matters:
(1) Pre-Contract Deposits; (2) Preliminary Inquiries; (3) House selling the Scottish way for England and Wales; (4) Local Authority Enquiries; (5) Conveyancing Claims; (6) Avoiding Completion Delays; (7) the operation of the Caveat Emptor rule.The Government have asked the Director General of Fair Trading to review estate agency practices. They have also asked that draft legislation should be prepared at the Law Commission to give effect to a commonhold scheme.