§ 17. Mr. Ronald Bellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals to rent assessment panels against the determinations of rent officers are at present awaiting decision.
§ Mr. EyreAbout 3,450 in England and Wales, inclusive of appeals in respect of applications for certificates of fair rent.
§ Mr. BellIf rent officers generally take the view of the Thames Valley rent officer in the case of which I have sent my hon. Friend particulars, the appellants are wasting their time. If success on appeal against applications made before 6th November last and ordered by the panel to take effect from the date of application, as in due course of law they would be. are nevertheless set aside by the rent officer in view of the counter-inflation legislation, what is the point in these people appealing?
§ Mr. EyreMy hon. and learned Friend may be aware that the limitation and standstill applied only until 29th April this year. He referred to the position of 483 the Thames Valley panel. I understand that 115 cases are outstanding, of which 95 were lodged by or on behalf of tenants of a housing association on 7th March and that another nine were lodged on several dates between 16th and 21st March.