To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to visit the land registry and land charges offices in the Plymouth, Devonport constituency to discuss the work of the offices. [37955]

I visited the Plymouth district land registry on Wednesday 18 September 1996, and I was greatly impressed by the enthusiasm and efficiency of all the officers whom I met.

I am pleased to note that my tough and exacting question, which I tabled before the summer recess, precipitated a long overdue visit by the Minister to the land registry in my constituency.

I note that the Minister said that he was impressed by the very good work that the staff are doing—so will he now give a guarantee that the morale of the staff and the excellent work that they are doing will not be undermined by the threat of privatisation?

My visit was set up well before the hon. Gentleman tabled his question. We have no plans whatsoever to privatise the land registry. I know that that will come as a disappointment to the hon. Gentleman, who loves to scaremonger. Indeed, he is happy only if he has frightened people into not being able to sleep at night. On this occasion he has well missed the target.