HC Deb 21 January 1974 vol 867 cc1175-6
2. Mr. McBride

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what further consideration he has given to the composition of rent scrutiny boards in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

This is a matter for the President of the Rent Assessment Panel for Wales.

Mr. McBride

As the Secretary of State has executive responsibility for housing in Wales, will he now exclude the professional members from the rent scrutiny boards in favour of the expertise possessed by democratically-elected people? Does he agree that there ought to be a right of appeal from the arbitrary decisions of these rubber-stamping servile bodies so as to give natural justice to 280,000 council house tenants in Wales?

Mr. Thomas

It is the responsibility of the President of the Rent Assessment Panel for Wales to make appointments to rent scrutiny boards from the membership of the panel. I cannot intervene in this. The scrutiny boards are completely independent bodies and I am satisfied that appointments in Wales meet that requirement.