HC Deb 22 July 1881 vol 263 cc1732-3

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, he offered a certain amount of opposition to this Bill on the previous night on the ground that it contained controversial matter that should not be discussed at a late hour; but he understood that almost all the controversial matter had now been omitted. He understood that the Government intended to exclude all but town districts; and, under the circumstances, he would offer no opposition, for he believed the Bill, if not an useful, would, at least, be a harmless measure.

Clauses 1 and 2 agreed to.

Clause 3 (Terms of entry to and removal from lands and heritages fixed).

Amendment proposed, In page 2, line 5, to insert "which relates to Parliamentary and Royal boroughs."—(The Lord Advocate.)

Amendment agreed to,

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 5, to leave out "Candlemas."—(The Lord Advocate.)

MR. J. STEWART

said, there were quarterly terms in England, and he had thought it might be convenient to have quarterly terms in Scotland; but, however, as the right hon. and learned Lord Advocate had taken the question up, he did not propose to interfere.

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. M'LAREN)

said, that under the Bill, as introduced by the hon. Member, the security of the landlord in the tenant's interest would, by the institution of four terms, have been extended beyond the time for which the law gave the landlord a preferential right.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 6, to leave out "Lammas."—(The Lord Advocate.)

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment proposed, In page 2, lines 9 and 10, to leave out from "to act," to "the twenty-eighth," in line 10.—(The Lord Advocate.)

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment proposed, In page 2, lines 11 and 12, to leave out from "Whitsunday," to "and the," in line 12.—(The Lord Advocate.)

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 4 agreed to.

Clause 5 (Period of notice of removal).

Amendment proposed, to leave out lines 24 and 25.—(The Lord Advocate.)

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.

Preamble.

MR. J. STEWART

said, in consequence of the Amendments, it would be necessary to amend the Preamble.

Amendment proposed, in line 11, leave out from "and," to "be," in line 16.—(Mr. J. Stewart.)

Amendment agreed to.

Preamble, as amended, agreed to.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered upon Monday next.