asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the statutory provisions which govern the rights of private tenants to discuss rent proposals with the rent officer and the rent assessment committee, and their rights to expert representation before these persons.

The tenant's rights to discuss with rent officers and, on appeal, with rent assessment committees the fair rent proposed are set out in Schedule 6 to the Rent Act, 1968. Where the landlord first applies for a Certificate of Fair Rent, the tenant's similar rights are set out in Schedule 7 to the Act. The specific rights to be represented by any person are provided in paragraphs 4(3) and 8 of Schedule 6 and paragraphs 4(2), 7(3) and 9(b) of Schedule 7.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. Can he explain why he is refusing to give the same rights under the Housing Finance Bill to council tenants?

Council tenants are being given for the first time the opportunity to appeal in writing against assessments. Under the present system they are given no choice of any kind.