§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Attorney-General if he intends to change the rules in respect of summary possession proceedings; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe comments on the Lord Chancellor's consultation paper on summary possession proceedings showed general agreement that the minimum316W period between service of the application and the order should be reduced from five days to two where the defendants are on open land, but there was concern about such a reduction in the case of residential premises.
The Lord Chancellor is inviting the Supreme Court rule committee to reduce the minimum period from five days to two in the case of open land but to retain the five day period in the case of residential premises. A statutory instrument covering this and other matters is expected to be made before Christmas.
§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Attorney-General how he exercises his responsibilities in determining the public interest before commencing the injunctive process; and what procedures are followed in each case.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris) on 8 December at column2.