7. In the Rent Act 1977–
(a)for subsection (4) of section 63, there shall be substituted the following subsection–
“(4) In this Part “the rent officer” means–
(a)in relation to any area not specified in an order made under section 64B of this Act, any rent officer appointed for the area who is authorised to act in accordance with a scheme under this section;
(b)in relation to any area or areas so specified, any rent officer appointed by the Secretary of State.”;
(b)for subsection (1) of section 66, there shall be substituted the following subsections–
“(1) For each registration area, a register for the purposes of this Part of this Act shall be prepared and kept up to date by the rent officer.
(1A) The rent officer shall make the register available for inspection in such place or places and in such manner–
(a)if the area is not specified in an order made under section 64B of this Act, as may be provided by the scheme made for the area under section 63 of this Act;
(b)if the area is so specified, as the Secretary of State may direct.”.