asked the Minister for Justice whether the Land Registry uses ordnance survey maps in the mapping section when preparing maps of folios.

Yes.

Would the Minister say why the Land Registry takes, in some cases, several months before they furnish maps, and in view of the fact that it takes several months to furnish maps, will the Minister say why in a recent case when a solicitor from rural Ireland sent three maps to the Land Registry and asked them to mark the maps, the Land Registry refused to do so, saying they did not use Ordnance Survey maps for the purpose?

What the astute country solicitor was attempting to do was to get a job which cost £2 10s done for £1. I do not blame him. It was a good effort but it will not work.

Does the Minister for Justice consider it his function to encourage officials to charge for unnecessary work in the Land Registry, which is months behind in its work and which apparently is unable to get maps with the same speed and efficiency as the ordinary private person can get them?

The gimmick that was tried by the Deputy's friend was, under the guise of paying £1 for a search fee, to get a Land Registry map which costs £2 10s.

Would the Minister state the reason why an Ordnance Survey map which can be purchased from the Stationery Office is not available in the Land Registry with the same speed? In view of the unsatisfactory reply by the Minister I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.