HL Deb 27 May 1886 vol 306 cc171-2

Clause 8 (Compensation to crofter for improvements on removal) agreed to, and added to the Bill.

Clause 9 (Compensation to cottar for improvements on removal).

LORD ABINGER

said, he wished to move an Amendment to the effect that compensation for improvements on removal should be only paid when executed by the crofter or his predecessor in the same family "within 30 years."

Amendment moved, in page 5, line 13, after ("family,") insert ("under 30 years.")—(The Lord Abinger.)

THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE

said, that there were plenty of cottages with mud walls which stood much longer than 30 years. He thought the Commissioners should be left to decide whether the improvements were exhausted or not, and he hoped that the house would not put in the limit of 30 years.

Amendment (by leave of the Committee) withdrawn.

LORD ABINGER moved the omission of the sub-section providing that the improvements for which compensation was to be given should not have been Executed in virtue of any specific agreement in writing under which the cottar was bound to execute such improvement, and to insert in its place— Executed in virtue of the stipulations of a lease, or in virtue of any agreement or understanding expressed in estate regulations or other writings.

Amendment moved, In page 5, line 14, leave out sub-section ("c,") and insert ("such improvements as have not been executed in virtue of the stipulations of a lease, or in virtue of any agreement or understanding expressed in estate regulations or other writings.")—(The Lord Abinger.)

THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE

said, that it was extremely desirable that the responsibilities of the crofter should be limited to points as to which there could be no doubt whatever. In other parts of the Bill they had refused to have the door open to general regulations and understandings, and had limited the responsibility of the crofter to the specific agreements which he himself had signed, and it would not be consistent if they went away from that principle now.

Amendment (by leave of the Committee) withdrawn.

Clause agreed to, and added to the Bill.

Clause 10 (Principle of valuation) agreed to, and added to the Bill.