asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff in the Land Registry at present employed in dealing with Land Commission vesting orders; the number of such vesting orders now awaiting processing; the average time period for such cases to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Land Commission Vesting Orders.
24.
I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that all applications for registration are processed on a regional basis in the Land Registry. Consequently there is no specific section dealing exclusively with the registration of Land Commission vesting orders. There are at present 10,722 applications for registration of Land Commission vesting orders awaiting completion. These applications are normally not as urgent as other applications because registration of title takes effect retrospectively from the date of vesting and in general are dealt with at present only as the need arises. I am informed, however, that as a matter of policy the Land Registry give priority to any application in respect of which it is brought to their attention that exceptional conditions involving hardship, such as bridging finance, exist.
It would not be possible to ascertain the average time taken to deal with such cases without an examination of a substantial volume of records. This could be achieved only by diverting staff now engaged on more urgent casework.