§ Mr. Kinseyasked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the future of the Land Registry.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSuccessive Governments have for some time been anxious to do everything possible to extend the compulsory registration of title to land. The Government consider that this aim could be more readily achieved if the Land Registry were reorganised as a public service agency free of day-to-day departmental control while remaining responsible to my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor on all major policy issues.
Under the new arrangements the staff of the registry will cease to be civil servants but will be employed on terms and conditions similar to those of the Civil Service. There will be the fullest consultation with the staff on the necessary changes.
Legislation will be required and will be introduced as soon as possible.
My noble Friend attaches considerable importance to the further extension of registration of title and he hopes that the proposed new structure for the Land Registry will enable this to be pressed on more rapidly than has been possible recently.