HC Deb 10 July 1974 vol 876 cc478-9W
Mr. Rossi

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time lag between the making of an application and a determination of rent by (a) rent officers, and (b) rent tribunals, giving the period region by region.

Mr. Kaufman

I am seeking this information, which is not available in my Department, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Rossi

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current annual cost of (a) the rent officer service, and (b) rent tribunals, showing separately salaries or remunerations, salaries of supporting staff, rent and outgoings for office accommodation and other relevant costs.

Mr. Kaufman

Expenditure on the rent officer service in the year 1973–74 was £3,776,137. Payments to the local authorities which operate the service are not broken down in the form requested and the breakdown could not be prepared except at disproportionate cost.

Annual expenditure on the rent tribunal service cannot be separated from the annual expenditure on other rent assessment panel services for which this Department is responsible. The total cost of the panel services for 1973–74 was £1,311,722.