§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in view of the fact that a limited number of local authorities in England and Wales have not published their provisional assessment of fair rents in accordance with the statutory requirements of Section 53(1) of the Housing Finance Act 1972, if he will declare that the existing rents within these authorities be deemed "fair" and that these councils be so informed.
§ Mr. ChannonNo. The determination of fair rents is a matter for local authorities and the rent scrutiny boards, and my right hon. and learned Friend has no power to intervene.