HC Deb 12 July 1877 vol 235 cc1240-2

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [9th July], "That the Amendments made by the Lords to the Bill be now taken into consideration."

Debate resumed.

SIR ALEXANDER GORDON

said, that changes had been made in the measure by the House of Lords, by which the entire scope of the Bill had been altered. When the Bill left this House the sole right to the game was vested in the tenant, as it was in England; but now, as the Bill came back to them, the sole right to the game was the landlord's, by presumption of law. He complained of that alteration, and wished to know why Scotland was to be debarred from a privilege which had been given to England in the year 1831? As the Bill now stood, it would be very easy to evade it. Another change of some importance in the Bill was the striking out of that part of the 4th clause relating to game harboured on the estates of the lessor.

MR. SPEAKER

said, the hon. Member would have an opportunity of speaking to the Amendments as they arose.

SIR ALEXANDER GORDON

moved to disagree with the Lords' Amendments.

MR. M 'LAGAN

urged that the Amendments made by the other House made no practical difference.

SIR GRAHAM MONTGOMERY

thought that the alterations would not affect the Bill, and he was prepared to support them.

Motion negatived.

Lords Amendments agreed to, as far as the Amendment, in page 2, line 22.

Amendment, in page 2, line 25, to leave out from the word "game," to the word "in," in line 26, and insert the words "to which the lessor may have reserved or retained the sole right," the next Amendment, read a second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

SIR ALEXANDER GORDON

moved the rejection of the Amendment.

MR. MARK STEWART

seconded the Motion.

MR. M'LAGAN

defended the alterations which had been made in the Bill, and pointed out that it had only been changed back to what really was its original form.

Question put.

The House divided:—Ayes 68; Noes 8: Majority 60.—(Div. List, No. 232.)

Subsequent Amendments agreed to, with Amendments, and with a Consequential Amendment to the Bill.

House adjourned at Two o'clock.