§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his answer of 16 February, Official Report, c. 39–40, regarding rent assessment panel members, what steps were taken by his Department to ensure that any clash of financial interests did not occur.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsGiven the need for the rent assessment panel to include professionally qualified people it would scarcely be possible to constitute it in such a way as totally to eliminate the theoretical possibility of conflicts of interest. This has to be done instead through the selection by the panel's president of the panel members to serve on particular tribunals. He has recently reminded panel members of the need to advise him of any circumstances in which conflicts of interest could arise so that he can ensure that they are not selected when these circumstances might apply.