Vol. 282 No. 6
I move:
That a sum not exceeding £1,113,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1975, for the salaries and expenses of the Land Registry and of the Registry of Deeds.
Questions are frequently asked about delays in the Land Registry and as to whether or not something can be done to expedite the work there. At least, solicitors use these alleged delays as an excuse for their own delays, not always legitimately maybe.
I am sorry the Minister is not here. I do not suppose the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs will be able to help in relation to the interpretation of the law in the Land Registry. I have a very special case where a man spent about £500 over two years trying to get a document. He was informed it could not be got as there had been a change of personnel. Now a change of personnel does not change the law, and I would like to know if there is any way in which a uniform interpretation of the law could be ensured. I will take this matter further. The Minister for Justice probably knows all about this and it is unfortunate we have not got him here this morning. I can understand the position of the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. The absence of the responsible Minister puts us in a very awkward position. I have only been here two years but I am a little disgusted because I value my time. We are asked here to vote millions of pounds. I know there are Ministers who have to be out of the country but they should have someone here to answer these questions. I am not making an issue out of it. We are voting money here for the Land Registry and I want to put on record that I have reservations until such time as I discover there is uniform interpretation of the law in the Land Registry.
I will convey the Deputy's points to the Minister.
