MR. BLENNERHASSETTasked Mr. Attorney General, Whether his attention has been called to a recent instance of the operation of the Law of Distress which is reported to have taken place at Bradwortley, in Devonshire, where it is alleged that a number of bullocks, the property of a farmer named Chubb, having strayed into a field on an adjoining farm, were there seized and distrained for rent; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to propose the abolition of that Law?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES),in reply, said, his attention had not been called to the case referred to. It was in accordance with the law which now existed that if, through the negligence of an owner, his animals strayed on the land of an adjoining owner who was in arrear of rent, the landlord could distrain them. The power was one that was seldom 430 exercised, as it was necessary first for the animals to stray; next, that they should stray upon land belonging to a farmer in arrear of rent; and, lastly, that the landlord should be willing to exercise the power. The Government had no intention of dealing with the question specially; but the principle was palpably erroneous, and if ever the question came before them it would be dealt with.