HC Deb 27 April 1876 vol 228 cc1815-6

Order for Second Reading read.

LORD ELCHO,

in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, in 1867 he brought in a Game Law Bill, which appeared to him, without touching the question of the poacher, to do what was necessary. It assimilated the law in England and Scotland with reference to game, and was accompanied by two other provisions—one to enable tenants who were not prevented by agreements in their leases, to destroy hares and rabbits without taking out licences, and the other to enable a tenant to obtain speedy and cheap redress in cases of dispute with the landlord through the Sheriff Court. The object of the Bill was to put tenants in the best position. The Bill and another brought in by the hon. Member for Linlithgowshire (Mr. M'Lagan) were sent to a Select Committee, who took his (Lord Elcho's) Bill as a basis of their proceedings, and amended it. The Bill now before the House was in the same shape as the Bill that passed the Select Committee, and he hoped the House would adopt it as a basis of legislation on the subject, and agree to the second reading. He proposed that it should be taken at a future stage, concurrently with the Bill of his hon. Friend.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Lord Elcho.)

MR. DODDS

remarked that it was impossible to discuss the Bill at that hour, and moved that the debate be adjourned.

MR. RAMSAY

seconded the Motion.

Motion agreed to.

Debate adjourned till Thursday next.