HC Deb 12 April 1887 vol 313 cc810-1

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Baggallay.)

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)

What is the object of this Bill?

MR. BAGGALLAY (Lambeth, Brixton)

The object of the measure is to give incumbents occupying their own glebe lands the same opportunities of obtaining compensation for improvements which are now given to occupiers under the Agricultural Holdings Act. The provisions of the Bill are short and simple, and I do not think they will meet with practical opposition in the House. I am not desirous of going into detail on the measure. Now, as I do not intend to take the Committee stage for a fortnight, I may say that the only object is to enable incumbents who have to farm their own lands to obtain compensation for small unimportant improvements and for growing crops, which they do not now obtain on resignation, and which their representatives do not obtain in the event of their death. I, therefore, trust the House will accede to the second reading.

MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON

My knowledge of this subject is very limited; therefore, my words will be few. I desire to move the adjournment of the debate. I candidly admit that I do not see any objection to the principle of the measure; but I think I am quite in the recollection of the House when I say that it was understood before the adjournment for Easter that no Business would be done to-night after the adjournment of the debate on the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill. There is an introductory Memorandum to the Bill which seems to contain matter which will be more or less new to hon. Members. The measure is one of considerable volume. It contains 20 clauses; and if I am right in my recollection on other occasions many Members have remained here to watch it. My principal object in moving the adjournment is to give those hon. Members an opportunity of being present when the Bill comes on. I think it would only be chivalrous of the hon. and learned Gentleman in charge of the Bill to give these hon. Gentlemen an opportunity of taking part in the discussion on the Motion for the Second Reading. I beg to move the adjournment of the debate.

MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)

I second the Motion.

Motion made, and Question, "That the Debate be now adjourned,"—(Mr. Edward Harrington,)—put, and negatived.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for Tuesday 26th April.