Land Registration (Network Access) Rules 2008

I thank the Minister for his explanation of the order, which is quite straightforward. I do, however, have a number of questions to put to him that I hope he will be able to answer. First, we have some concern about security, but I am grateful for the fact that he has already consulted the Information Commissioner, who is satisfied with the position. As I understand it, the only people who can get themselves registered are those listed somewhere in the order. They would be solicitors, barristers, or whatever—the appropriate person. We have to go to Schedule 1(2): "““For the purposes of this paragraph, ‘qualified person’ means … a solicitor … a licensed conveyancer … a barrister … a duly certificated notary public””." What is the current position on access to the Land Register, particularly access by people such as the press? If the press have a tame barrister, can he apply for access and then make use of that information in whatever way the press often want to make use of such information? I hope the Minister will be able to deal with that question. My next question relates to cost. I am grateful that it is made clear there will be no charge for entering into such an agreement, but does the Minister think that in due course it will bring down the fairly considerable cost of registering land with the Land Registry? Does he think—it is obviously not necessarily the Government who should answer this question—that it might have an effect on what solicitors would charge the individual who has to register land? The Minister will be aware that it costs a considerable amount of money to register land. My third question regards timing, which I think the Minister touched on in his explanation. We have been registering land for some time now, and it is envisaged that a lot more will be on the register by 2012. When these rules come into effect, that will all be done electronically. At the same time, will the Land Registry be putting all the old paper stuff on to the electronic network? If so, when, and when will those who will be entitled to have access to the Land Registry get the chance to go back and look at the old stuff that was registered in a paper manner?