§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what requests he has receved from the London borough of Wandsworth on the provision of a rent tribunal office in the borough; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonThe London Borough of Wandsworth asked me to consider setting up a rent tribunal for the area, which lies in the Croydon and South-West London Rent Tribunal district.
Though applications to the Croydon and South-West London Tribunal have over the last few years increased, the number from Wandsworth has increased more slowly. In view of this, and of the availability of rent tribunal forms and advice on furnished tenancy problems at the recently established Housing Advice Centre at Wandsworth Town Hall and 311W at the Citizens' Advice Bureau, I do not consider that the cost of setting up a separate tribunal there would be justified. The President of the London Rent Assessment Panel is, however, at my right hon. and learned Friend's suggestion, looking into the practicability of the Tribunal's holding regular hearings in Wandsworth.