§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in how many 260W cases the Yorkshire Rent Scrutiny Board has increased the provisional rent fixed by local housing authorities in the Yorkshire and Humberside area; for how many authorities it has decreased it; for how many it has not altered the provisional rent; and if he will indicate which authorities.
§ Mr. ChannonThe reports made by rent scrutiny boards constitute comprehensive reviews of the rents of the entire stock of each local authority's houses; they include changes both upwards and downwards in a large number of cases, in addition to numerous confirmations of the local authority's provisional fair rents. A comprehensive analysis of the 46 reports so far issued by the Yorkshire boards, with comparisons with provisional fair rents, could only be made at disproportionate cost. The reports are, however, published.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what has been the maximum, minimum and average increase and decrease in rents fixed by the Yorkshire Rent Scrutiny Board on assessing local authority rents; and if he will indicate the authorities concerned;
(2) whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the corresponding rents for the years 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973 of houses of local authorities whose rent levels have been fixed by the Yorkshire Rent Scrutiny Board and the rent fixed by the board, indicating the percentage rise over the period as well as the increase in money value.
§ Mr. ChannonThis information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Information about average rents for 1970, 1971 and 1972 is given in the annual "Housing Statistics" published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants. Copies are available in the Library.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals, and from which local authority areas, have been received by the Yorkshire Rent Scrutiny Board from rents assessed by that board; and in how many cases the rents have been decreased after appeal.
§ Mr. ChannonI understand that the following 28 authorities have so far made 261W representations against fair rents proposed by the rent scrutiny boards in Yorkshire:
Silsden UD Queensbury and Shelf UD Baildon UD Scalby UD Nidderdale RD Scarborough MB Stokesley RD Ilkley UD Thirsky RD Morley MB Denholme UD Hebden Royd UD Holmfirth UD Elland UD Richmond RD Rothwell UD Featherstone UD Pudsey MB Settle RD Whitby RD Ripon MB Earby UD Barnoldswick UD Filey UD Bowland RD Skipton RD Helmsley RD Kirkbymoorside RD
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average number of council properties visited by members of Yorkshire Rent Scrutiny Committee before assessing new rent structures.
§ Mr. ChannonI understand that rent scrutiny boards of the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel usually inspect between 4 per cent. and 10 per cent. of an authority's housing stock, depending on local circumstances, before deciding whether or not they agree with the local authority's provisional assessment of fair rents.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities in the area covered by the Yorkshire rent scrutiny boards have still to have their rents assessed; when the hearings will take place; and for which authorities.
§ Mr. Channon104 local authorities in Yorkshire have still to receive reports from rent scrutiny boards. They are as follows:
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Wetherby RD Malton RD Howden RD Wath-upon-Dearne UD Bingley UD Wakefield CB Bentley UD Swinton UD Harrogate MB Castleford MB Saddleworth UD Easingwold RD Pickering RD Pickering UD Northallerton UD Kiveton Park RD Leeds CB Flaxton RD Tadcaster RD Norton UD Withernsea UD Malton UD Whitby UD Keighley MB Saltburn UD Brighouse MB Todmorden MB Wath RD Northallerton RD Bedale RD Beverley RD Goole MB Garforth UD Norton RD Cudworth UD Derwent RD Huddersfield CB Knaresborough UD Dearne UD
Maltby UD Kirkburton UD Haltemprice UD Hedon MB Stocksbridge UD Knottingley UD Hull CB Rawmarsh UD Normanton UD Osgoldcross RD Selby UD Driffield UD Aireborough UD Worsborough UD Barnsley CB Sedbergh RD Shipley UD Masham RD Sowerby Bridge UD Dewsbury CB Wortley RD Stratforth RD Teesside CB Reeth RD Hemsworth RD Aysgarth RD York CB Leyburn RD Stanley UD Hornsea UD Skipton UD Sheffield CB Loftus UD Batley MB Hemsworth UD Ossett MB Rotherham RD Pontefract MB Bradford CB Spenborough MB Rotherham CB Goole RD Selby RD Doncaster RD Hepton RD Adwick UD Wakefield RD Mirfield UD Darfield RD Heckmondwike UD Meltham UD Penistone UD Dodworth UD Mexborough UD Penistone RD Conisbrough UD Pocklington RD Tickhill UD Colne Valley UD Wombwell UD Doncaster CB Mossbrough UD Richmond MB Royston UD Hoyland Nether UD Rent scrutiny boards proceed by consideration of written submissions and by inspectors, not by formal public hearings.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of his decision that rent scrutiny boards shall not sit in public, he will publish summaries of the evidence prepared and submitted to them and the reasons for giving their decisions.
§ Mr. ChannonRent scrutiny boards are required by law to give their reasons in a report to the local authority if they disagree with any of the rents in the provisional assessment of the authority. The authority is required to publish such a report. The publication of any evidence submitted by a local authority with its assessment would be a matter for the authority.