§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many of the lay members of the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel are (a) in receipt of State pensions, (b) self-employed, (c) in receipt of a weekly wage and (d) unemployed;
(2) what work the phrase "social welfare" covers in the description given to four of the lay members of the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel; whether the work was voluntary or paid, full- or part-time; and with what organisations.
§ Mr. ChannonI do not think it right to ask for and publish these details of Panel members' personal circumstances. The description "social welfare" covers a range of activities, full-time and part-time, paid and unpaid. Participation in the work of social service councils is a factor common to a number of the members concerned.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representative bodies, nationally and in Yorkshire, were invited to nominate lay members to the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel under Section 51(1) of the Housing Finance Act 1972 and Section 42 of and Schedule 5 to the Rent Act 1968 respectively.
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§ Mr. ChannonNone. Neither the 1968 Rent Act of the previous administration nor the Housing Finance Act 1972 provides for nomination by representative bodies. My right hon. and learned Friend, in revising panels for rent assessment committees and rent scrutiny boards, will of course take note of any names put forward to him by representative bodies.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used in making lay appointments to the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel.
§ Mr. ChannonLay members of rent assessment panels are chosen for qualities of judgment and commonsense and an ability to take an impartial view.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average age of the lay members of the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel; and how many are of pensionable age.
§ Mr. ChannonThe average age is 60 years; 18 out of a total of 44 lay members are over 65 years of age.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many lay members of the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel live in (a) the city and county of Kingston upon Hull and (b) the East Riding County Council area.
§ Mr. ChannonThere are two lay members who live in Kingston upon Hull and four who live in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many lay members of the Yorkshire Rent Assessment Panel have retired since their appointments; and what was their trade or profession.
§ Mr. ChannonEight lay members have retired.
Two were housewives; one is an ex-trade union official; one was a company director; one a local authority councillor; one an analytical chemist; one a social worker; and one a minister of religion.