HC Deb 22 April 2004 vol 420 c654W
Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what proportion of all house sales in England the Land Registry completes electronically; and what the target date is for 100 per cent. electronic conveyancing. [166889]

Mr. Lammy

Land Registry completes the registration of all house sales in England and Wales electronically. In addition, just over 50 per cent. of pre-contract I inquiries (mainly official copies of the register and official searches) received by the Registry are processed electronically.

Land Registry continues to extend its range of electronic services and is introducing progressively its electronic conveyancing programme. It aims to launch a pilot of a re-engineered conveyancing system in 2006. In consultation with stakeholders and other interested parties, the programme will be refined and developed and it is expected that by 2010 a large majority of house sales in England and Wales will be conducted electronically.