'Maladministration' at Development Board for Rural Wales

Staff at the Development Board for Rural Wales kept a secret set of rules for allocating tenancies, and awarded houses to themselves and close relatives, the National Audit Office said yesterday. More than 200 houses could have been disposed of in this way. Among those benefiting from the scheme were the board's housing officer and his former wife. The NAO said officials were guilty of gross maladministration and unacceptable behaviour.