§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the current level of local reference rents applying to flats at(a) 76 Gilnow road and (b) 10 Columbia road, Bolton; and if he will make a statement on (i) delays relating to and (ii) levels of rent determinations in Bolton relative to (1) the north-west and (2) England. [38689]
§ Mr. ClappisonRent officers are independent statutory officers. They are not accountable to the Secretary of State for their decisions on rent levels.
The Department is aware of concerns about delays to rent determinations in the Greater Manchester rent registration area. This problem has now been addressed by the appointment of four additional rent officers to the area.
Data on rents determined by rent officers since 2 January, including local reference rents, will be published in the Department's quarterly bulletin, Rent Officer Statistics. I will arrange for a copy of the bulletin covering the first quarter of 1996 to be sent to the hon. Member when published.