Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Friday, 22 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 October 2004. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 October 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether the Government intends to establish a national database of the information contained in the seller's pack provided for in the Housing Bill; and whether the packs will have to be available in electronic form to purchasers.

Answer: Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government intends to establish a national database of the information contained in the seller's pack provided for in the Housing Bill; and whether the packs will have to be available in electronic form to purchasers. [193807] Keith Hill: There will not be a national database of the information contained in home information packs. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is proposing to make provision in the Housing Bill for a register of home condition reports. Our intention is that the register will comprise an electronic databank of all home condition reports prepared by registered home inspectors. In order to respect privacy, and data- protection legislation, access to information obtained from the register would be strictly controlled. Home information packs may be in an electronic format but potential buyers will be entitled to ask for a paper copy of the pack (or part of the pack) if they prefer.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 425 c1110W; 193807
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Databases Housing Inspections Home information packs Registration Sales Surveying
Legislation: Housing Bill 2003/04
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk