My honourable friend the Minister of State (Michael Wills) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

Land Registry’s revised framework document is published today, 4 June 2008.

Land Registry became an executive agency of the Lord Chancellor in July 1990 and over the past 18 years has enthusiastically grasped the opportunities that agency status and, since 1993, trading fund status have provided. During that period, it has met improving financial, customer service and development targets while making land registration services progressively more efficient and cheaper.

The framework document is a statement of Land Registry’s legal position and reflects its status as a non-ministerial department. It sets out the role and responsibilities of the Chief Land Registrar and those of the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.

Copies of the revised framework document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.  Copies are also available on the internet at www.landregistry.gov.uk.