17 December 2003 38/03	Land Registry sets out its Role and Responsibilities Lord Falconer of Thoroton, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor today, 17 December, welcomed the publication of Land Registrys revised Framework Document. In the Foreword, Lord Falconer, as Minister accountable to Parliament for Land Registrys operations, said: This Framework Document sets the framework within which Land Registry operates. In particular, it describes the flexibilities Land Registry has in terms of financial and human resource management. It also sets out Land Registrys responsibilities to its customers and its accountability to myself and to Parliament. I fully endorse Land Registrys challenging Mission and wish the Chief Land Registrar and his staff every success in carrying through the strategies that will enable them to provide a world-class land registration service. He also drew attention to the fact that the Registry has proved its commitment to customers by being one of a very small number of public service bodies to be awarded the Charter Mark on four successive occasions. The Secretary of State described Land Registry as being at the forefront of the move towards delivering public services electronically and leading the way in making electronic conveyancing in England and Wales a reality within a few years. Peter Collis, Chief Land Registrar and Chief Executive, added: The revised Document also sets the framework within the context of the Land Registration Act 2002 which signalled the most significant legislative reform for Land Registry since 1925 and provides the necessary flexibilities to enable us to continue developing our services to customers. Ends 1. The Framework Document http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/publications/policy/lr_frameworkdoc2003.pdfwas announced today, 17 December 2003, by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs in answer to a Written PQ in the House of Lords and in a Written Statement by David Lammy, MP in the House of Commons. 2. It replaces the 1996 version which was published following a Prior Options review of Land Registrys status in 1995. The Document reflects the 2001 Quinquennial Review Reports recommendation that Land Registry should continue to operate as a separate government department, an executive agency of the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor and a trading fund. 3. The Land Registration Act 2002 came fully into force on 13 October 2003 having received Royal Assent on 26 February 2002. 4. With the worlds largest online transactional database, todays Land Registry underpins the economy by guaranteeing ownership of many billions of pounds worth of property. Around 1 million worth of property is processed every minute in England and Wales. 5. Land Registry is a Government Department, Executive Agency and Trading Fund and reports to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor. Land Registry keeps and maintains a register of interests in land for England and Wales. Twenty-four local offices provide land registration services for different counties and unitary authorities. For more information about Land Registry, please visit www.landregistry.gov.uk Press Office 020 7166 4543
Land Registry Head Office Lincolns Inn Fields London WC2A 3PH Tel (direct) 020 7166 4543 Fax 020 7166 4516 www.landregistry.gov.uk
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