§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection (1) what plans she has to introduce a system for the registration of estate agents and to tighten the regulations generally governing the operations of estate agents;
(2) if she will introduce regulations designed to prevent estate agents purchasing properties at below market values on the understanding that completion would be dependent upon a specified event such as the rehousing of the vendor by the local authority.
Mr. Alan WilliamsMy proposals for the regulation of estate agents' activities will be published in a consultative document as soon as possible. In drawing up the proposals, I am taking into account all forms of unethical conduct by estate agents which come to my attention.