§ Order for Second Beading read.
DR. CAMERONAt this hour of the night I will do no more than move the second reading of this Bill. Its object is to carry out the recommendations of the Select Committee of the House which reported in 1874, which recommendations have been endorsed by the Crofters' Commission to the effect that sporting lands and deer forests in the occupation of persons should be rated in the same way as land in the occupation of ordinary tenants. The measure has the sanction of the principal Officers of Her Majesty's Government, and I hope it will be read a second time.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Dr. Cameron.)
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)On the part of the Government I assent to the second reading of this Bill. It seems quite right in principle, although no doubt there will be certain questions to be adjusted in Committee in order to make it clear.
§ MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONI wish to say that I concur with the right hon. 1488 and learned Gentleman the Lord Advocate. The measure is founded on a just view of the propriety of the Valuation Roll setting forth one of the qualities of values of land in Scotland, and that is its capacity for sporting purposes. The mode in which the entry should be made in the Valuation Roll is a matter of detail, and I have no doubt that the Lord Advocate will give such guidance and advice as will put the matter in the best possible shape. I desire to say for myself that it is wholly right that now, when the sporting value of land is a very material element in the actual value, as a matter of commerce, of land in Scotland, that that should appear in a question of rating.
§ SIR DONALD CURRIEI must express my strong approval of the measure.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Monday next.