asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the status of "Notes to Rent Officers", and, in particular, the advice from his Department in recent "Notes" to use capital values in fixing rents and also to fix rent increases more in line with earnings and home prices.

The status of "Notes for Rent Officers" sent out by the Department is informal. They are intended to assist the efficient functioning of the service. Rent officers are not obliged to take account of them or to use them. Some notes consist of statistical information on registered rents and on movements in other relevant costs and prices. No advice is given about how to fix rents or what use should be made of the information contained in the notes.