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The land registry is relatively cheap professional and competent and makes a profit. It serves a central plank of land ownership and though most land is now registered not all is so registered yet. It provides a state guarantee of title. Many of its functions cannot be transferred to the private sector. If profit is not a dirty word why should a state owned body not make a profit and even a large and increasing profit. Why throw that away to some private company? This is a silly idea which should be binned now. The idea that state owned bodies cannot be commercial needs attacking. Just let the land registry get on with its work take the dividend and leave it alone!