§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library copies of guidance given to rent officers regarding their functions.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Government do not issue guidance to rent officers, who are statutorily independent and are therefore guided primarily by statute. In carrying out their functions relating to housing benefit subsidy, they are guided by the provisions of the Rent Officers (Additional Functions) (Scotland) Order 1989 (SI 177W 1989 No. 578(S65), as amended by SI 1989 No. 1446(S116)). Detailed working arrangements are an internal matter for the rent registration service.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the number of appeals against determinations by local authorities so far in the current year.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIn the period from 1 April to 31 October 1989, local authorities in Scotland requested redetermination in 74 cases for which rent officers had made a determination in connection with their functions relating to housing benefit subsidy.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the total numbers of determinations made by rent officers since 10 April.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIn the period from 1 April to 31 October 1989, rent officers in Scotland made 21,642 determinations in respect of rents referred to them by local authorities in connection with their functions relating to housing benefit subsidy.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of rent officers in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAt 31 October 1989, there were 36 rent officers (including senior rent officers) employed in Scotland, and one vacant post.