Madam, – Your Editorial (September 8th) correctly refers to my reservations about publication of house prices without the consent of buyer and seller. It does not refer to the alternative of publishing accurate information on price levels for particular house types (eg “three-bedroom semi-detached”) in particular areas.
I would respectfully suggest that this alternative, which I have highlighted since this issue first arose in May of last year, would meet the public interest in transparent and accurate house price information without interfering with the individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy in relation to financial transactions.
It also has the benefit of not requiring a change in legislation but would require newspapers or other publishers of such information to check the accuracy of such house price information as they chose to publish. – Yours, etc,