§ Considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ [Mr. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid.) in the Chair.]
§ Clause 1:
§ MR. CAVE (Surrey, Kingston)thought that they all knew that companies 1328 instead of being formed in this country—companies of rather a doubtful character in some instances—were formed in British possessions, and he was not quite sure that such companies should have the power to hold land in this country. He thought that the Law Officers of the Crown or the President of the Board of Trade should give some assurance that precautions would be taken in the Bill that bogus companies would not be allowed to hold land in this country. This matter had come upon them at very short notice and when they had not had time to give it full consideration. He only asked for an explanation from those responsible for the Bill.
§ EARL WINTERTON (Sussex, Horsham)said he did not wish to oppose the Committee stage of the Bill, but unless reason could be shown that hardship had ensued to Colonial companies in the past by their not being able to bold land in this country under the old Act, he thought that this clause should not be passed without some explanation. It was quite right that facilities should be put in the way of properly formed companies to hold land here, but there was no doubt that bogus companies had been formed, and that it was necessary that precautions should be taken against them. He did not think that even under the old Act any great hardship was done, and ho hoped that either the hon. and learned Gentleman or the President of the Board of Trade would give them some explanation. He did not see the latter present, and in the circumstances he begged to move to report progress.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Tuesday next.
§ Whereupon Mr. SPEAKER, pursuant to the Order of the House of 10th July, adjourned the House without Question put.
§ Adjourned tit ten minutes before Six o'clock till Monday next.