HC Deb 04 February 1887 vol 310 c645
MR. J. W. BARCLAY (Forfarshire)

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he intends to bring in a Bill to authorize trustees of landed estates to grant reduction of rents when they think it would be for the interest of the trust to do so?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrews Universities)

Trustees at present have power in Scotland to grant reductions of rents, subject to their being responsible for their action, if beneficiaries can show that it was not justifiable in the circumstances. I shall consider whether it is advisable to encourage the action of trustees in this direction by enabling them to get protection by approval of a Court at the time the action is taken, so as to save them from the risk of their action being afterwards impugned.