HC Deb 04 November 1992 vol 213 cc239-40W
Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, (1) if he will publish for each of the county courts in London the usual length of the reasonable period in the allowance of time for mortgage borrowers to pay arrears;

(2) how many possession orders have been suspended but have not yet been enforced in each of London's county courts.

Mr. John M. Taylor

This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he will take, as part of his civil justice system review, to ensure that all county courts in London have a duty adviser scheme for home owners facing repossession.

Mr. John M. Taylor

There are no plans to ensure that all county courts in London have a duty adviser scheme for home owners facing repossession. From early next year, courts will send out a list of sources of free advice with each possession summons.

Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the county courts in London which have duty adviser schemes for home owners.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The London county courts which have duty adviser schemes for home owners provided by advice agencies are Lambeth, Bow, Clerkenwell and West London.

Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list, for each county court in London, the percentage figure that suspended possession orders represent as a total of the number of actions issued in each county court for home owners, the percentage figure for adjournments as part of the total number of actions entered for home owners, and the percentage figures as part of the total of absolute possession orders issued.

Mr. John M. Taylor

This information is not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance he gives county court judges in defining the reasonable period and in the issue of time orders for payment of arrears of mortgage.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The guidance given is that there is no set period. Sometimes a period of 24 months should be considered; often a longer period will be appropriate, particularly where the equity is substantial or the remaining life of the mortgage long.

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