§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of delays in transactions through the Land Registry; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am aware of the delays in dealing with applications for official search in the Land Charges Department of the Land Registry.
As I explained to the House on 8th December, in answer to the hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mrs. Fenner), the delays are mainly due to an increase of 40 per cent. or more in the number of applications reaching the Registry. Extra staff have been engaged and I am glad to say that the extent of the delay is now being reduced.