HC Deb 25 January 1996 vol 270 cc334-5W
Rev. William McCrea

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) proceedings have been commenced to repossess homes and (b) homes have been repossessed in Northern Ireland since 1989. [10562]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The number of writs and originating summonses issued in respect of mortgages by the Chancery division of the Northern Ireland High Court for each year since 1989 is as follows:

Number
1989 2,459
1990 2,599
1991 3,061
1992 1,646
1993 1,728
1994 1,371
1995 1,220
Total 14,085

There are no reliable figures available on the number of decrees for possession granted on foot of these.

The Enforcement of Judgments Office, which is responsible for delivering vacant possession in Northern Ireland, has received the following number of notices of intention to enforce decrees for possession for each year over the period.

  • 1989: 718
  • 1990: 748
  • 1991: 832
  • 1992: 683
  • 1993: 492
  • 1994: 468
  • 1995: 396

The figures relating to the number of these which resulted in actual repossessions taking place are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.