33.—(1) The amendments specified in the following paragraphs shall be made in section 81 of the 1970 Act (register to be open for public inspection, searches therein, and right to copies, etc., of the register).
(2) In subsection (1):
(a)for “Every register shall be kept open” substitute “The register and any relevant document shall be available”;
(b)for “therein” substitute “in the register or inspect the document”;
(c)for “appropriate register” substitute “register or relevant document”.
(3) after subsection (1) insert:
“(1A) In subsection (1) “relevant document” means a document retained in the Registry in connection with a registration under the Act of 1891, an application for registration under this Act or a registration under this Act.” .
(4) In subsection (2):
(a)for “any register” substitute “the register”;
(b)for “the issuing of certificates of” substitute “the provision of information by certificate or otherwise regarding”.
(5) After subsection (2) insert:
“(2A) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), Land Registry Rules may make provision with respect to applications for searches in the register, and the provision of information, by telephone or other automated means.” .
(6) In subsection (4) (applications for registration of certain documents to have priority if application is delivered within 14 days after issue of official search certificate, or such shorter period as may be prescribed) for the words from “a period of fourteen days” to “prescribed)” substitute “such period as may be prescribed”.