§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to enable rent officers and rent tribunals to make apportionments of rateable values—subject to appeal to the county court—for the purpose of determining whether they have jurisdiction to deal with cases referred to them.
§ Mr. FreesonNo new measures are required. I am advised, following the judgment in the Court of Appeal in the case Regina v. the City of Westminster Rent Officerex parte Rendall, that adequate powers exist for rent officers to inquire into their own jurisdiction. The position of rent tribunals is covered by Section 81 of the Rent Act 1968.