HC Deb 23 July 1968 vol 769 cc264-5
27 and 28. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he is satisfied as to the manner in which the rent assessment committees in the West Midlands are carrying out their duties under the Rent Act; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what steps he is taking, in view of the fact that 70 per cent. of the decisions have led to rent increases, to ensure that rent assessment committees in the West Midlands pay proper regard to the reports of rent officers at hearings where landlords are represented by estate agents and solicitors.

Mr. MacColl

Rent assessment committees have before them the rent officers' reports, whether or not the parties appearing before them are professionally represented. In the great majority of cases they see for themselves the properties concerned.

In the West Midlands, out of 3,949 determinations by rent officers, 248 had been referred to and decided on by rent assessment committees up to 21st June. A total of 199 of these 248 decisions—80 per cent.—represented reductions of the rent before registration. The system seems to be functioning effectively.

Mrs. Short

Does my hon. Friend recall that one of the rent officers in the West Midlands recently sent him a long memorandum about the difficulties in the West Midlands? Is he aware that rent assessment committee apparently pay no regard to the level of rents already obtaining in an area, and they do not consult the register of rents when making assessments? Will my hon. Friend now carry out an investigation into the way in which the rent assessment committees in the West Midlands are operating?

Mr. MacColl

It is difficult to look at a particular case in isolation. The figures I gave in the Answer indicate that rent assessment committees in the West Midlands are bringing down the rents, below the rent before registration.

Mr. Graham Page

Would the hon. Gentleman look into the practice, in parts of the West Midlands, of not calling the rent officer to give evidence before the rent assessment committee? It always seems a little peculiar that the person who really has the information should not be called to give evidence.

Mr. MacColl

This is rather wide of the Question. We look at this very carefully, and we have discussed it both with the rent officers and the presidents of panels. On balance opinion is against doing it.