HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc557-8W
Mr. Heddle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the progress so far achieved in persuading local authorities to computerise local search and charge procedures.

Mr. Waldegrave

I understand that at least two computing systems for local authority searches are at an advanced stage of development and at least one is now being tested by two local authorities. I hope that local authorities will give serious consideration to the installation of such systems which will help them to give an improved service to home buyers.

Mr. Heddle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in theOfficial Report the average length of time taken by each local authority in England to answer local search inquiries.

Mr. Waldegrave

This information is not collected centrally. However, the local authority associations provided evidence on the matter to the Government's conveyancing committee, and the committee's second report, published in January 1985, gives details. A copy of that report is in the Library.