§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of whether the senior rent officer at Wigan is following the correct statutory procedure in determining private sector rent levels for housing benefits. [38021]
§ Mr. CurryNone. Rent officers are independent statutory officers, appointed by the proper officer of the local authority in accordance with a statutory scheme agreed with the Secretary of State for the Environment. The Secretary of State has specified in the Rent Officers (Additional Functions) Order 1995, as amended. the criteria that rent officers must follow in determining rents for housing benefit purposes. Rent officers are not accountable to the Secretary of State for their decisions. They are accountable through the chief rent officer to the proper officer on matter of performance and conduct.