I am utterly astonished by the content of Ian McLachlan’s letter.

Yes, the public do want their homes to be transferred as quickly and cheaply as possible. For that to be achieved they are mainly dependent on money supply, and the needs and wishes of the various parties to the transaction – or chain of transactions.

Solicitors are not responsible for these, nor for the abolition of scale charges, the prolix/otiose requirements of various governments, viz HIPs and EPCs, and the ludicrously complex and inconsistent requirements of the various lending institutions.Sandie Graff, Graff & Redfern, Richmond, Surrey