To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he plans to take to improve the protection of purchases and sellers of homes in England and Wales from (a) gazumping and (b) late withdrawals before contract. [6070]

Work will shortly be under way across a number of Government Departments co-operating together which will look closely at the problem of gazumping and will lead to detailed proposals which will be in the interests of everyone involved in the sale and purchase of homes.