Hip, hip Boooooo

Today the government announced that the useless Home Information Packs will be necessary for all properties from 14 December.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper claimed that they would help first-time buyers by providing them with more information.

However, earlier this month, the National Association of Estate Agents warned that fewer large properties were coming onto the market than in earlier years. They claimed that Hips were amplifying problems in the housing market that had been caused by higher interest rates and a slowdown in price growth.

The BBC helpfully has posted an FAQ on Hips. Three that caught my eye (my italics):

How will I organise getting a pack?
Some estate agents will offer to act as go-between for pack providers. No doubt for an additional fee.
Alternatively, homeowners maybe able to approach pack providers direct

I have read that these packs could cost up to £1,000 - is this true?
This is probably a bit of an overestimate - but you can probably expect to pay £400-£700 for a Hip. Potential buyers will not have to contribute to the cost of a Hip. However, they may want to get their own local authority searches done and mortgage companies will still insist on a proper valuation. So, yet more money to be paid out.

I am buying a property. How much store should I set on the information in the pack?
The information will be useful but it may soon be out of date. Your solicitor may well advise that you get your own searches done. Your mortgage provider may also want fresh property searches. In other words, they may well disregard Hips. So what is the point of them in the first place?