HC Deb 01 March 1867 vol 185 cc1283-4
MR. HADFIELD

said, that this measure was not intended to interfere with the Mortmain Acts further than to permit the founders of certain institutions to purchase or give land upon which the necessary buildings might be erected. He did not wish to enable parties to take large estates; and therefore the Bill limited the quantity to be taken, at full value, to two acres. He proposed no alteration in the laws of Mortmain, which Blackstone said were intended to prevent a dying man from endeavouring to atone for a bad life by giving to God the wealth which he could no longer retain.

MR. HEADLAM

said, that the Bill of his hon. Friend had been very carefully and judiciously guarded, being limited to sites for buildings and bonâ fide purchases. He thought it would be a great improvement in the law, and he would be prepared to go further in the same direction. Its principle should be exempted from the strict rules of the Mortmain Act. He was prepared to give the measure his cordial support.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

said, the question was one of some importance, and he should therefore reserve his opinion upon it until the Bill was before them. The Mortmain Act had been a very useful one in preventing languishing and dying persons leaving gifts to religious and charitable uses. The present measure was intended to strike a blow at that Act, although it only referred to the purchase of sites, because a languishing or dying person might on his death bed, under its provisions, ask another to buy two acres of land in the City of London, saying he would give full value for it, and make it a site for a church or chapel, or school, or anything else which came within the category of a charitable purpose. He would not, however, oppose the introduction of the Bill.

LORD JOHN MANNERS

said, that the proposal now made was in strict accordance with the recommendations of two Select Committees of the House, one of which was presided over by himself, and the other by the hon. Member for Sheffield (Mr. Hadfield).

Motion agreed to.

Bill for facilitating the acquisition and enjoyment of Sites for Buildings for religious, educational, literary, scientific, and other charitable purposes, ordered to be brought in by Mr. HADFIELD, Mr. BAZLEY, Mr. AKROYD, and Mr. LEEMAN.

Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 64.]