asked the Attorney-General what steps he proposes to take to stop the practice of gazumping in England and Wales.

The Law Commission's report on "Subject to Contract" agreements (Law Com. No. 65, published in 1975) concluded that legislation to impose civil or criminal liability for "gazumping" would be counter-productive. The Government hope that buyers and sellers of houses and flats will give favourable consideration to the pre-contract deposit agreement recommended by the conveyancing standing committee in January last.