asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the Housing Finance Act 1972 to provide an independent appeals procedure for local authorities and council tenants in disagreement with the fair rents fixed by rent scrutiny boards.

Local authorities already have the right within a period of two months to make representations to the rent scrutiny boards. We have advised authorities to consult then tenants during this period. The boards must have regard to these representations and may make amendments to their reports.