HC Deb 15 July 1881 vol 263 cc1014-5

Supplemental Provisions.

Clause 27 (Supply of money to Laud Commission for purposes of Act).

MR. GLADSTONE

said, as this clause was one of a financial and administrative character, and as the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Westminster (Mr. W. H. Smith) had given Notice of a Motion for its omission from the Bill, it would, perhaps, be convenient if he agreed to its postponement.

Clause postponed.

Clause 28 (Proceedings of Commission).

MR. MACFARLANE

called attention to the wording of the second line of this clause, which said that— The Land Commission before buying any estate shall satisfy themselves that a resale can be effected without loss. As the clause stood, a loss, however small, would be prohibitory of the purchase on the part of the Land Commission. He therefore presumed that the words meant to convey the idea of substantial loss, and in that sense he proposed to add the word "serious" after "effected," in line 2.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he did not approve the addition of the word "serious," as proposed to be used by the hon. Member opposite; but was willing to meet his wishes as far as possible by agreeing to the insertion of the word "reasonably" after "shall," in line 1, so as to make the clause run— The Land Commission before buying any estate shall reasonably satisfy themselves that a resale can be effected without loss. Amendment proposed, in page 19, line 1, after "shall," insert "reasonably."—(Mr. Gladstone.)

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

said, that the meaning of the word "reasonably" was very vague in England, and was probably much more so in Ireland, and therefore he hoped the word would not be adopted by the Committee. One of the worst form of grants was a loan which was not meant to be fully repaid, and he objected to the introduction of a word which carried with it the slightest doubt that the Land Commission were to be fully repaid for the advances made.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 29 (Transfer of purchase powers of Board of Works to Land Commission) agreed to.

Clause 30 (Rule as to fixing percentages, purchase moneys, &c.) agreed to.

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