§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the fact that in 1889 an Act was passed, as a non-contentious measure, amending "The Agricultural Holdings Act (Scotland,), 1883," by enabling references under that Act to be Carried out by a single referee appointed by the Court, he will give his assent to the Second Reading of the Agricultural Compensation Procedure Bill, which makes the corresponding Amendment in "The Agricultural Holdings (England) Act. 1883," on the understanding that Clause 5 of the said, Bill, which deals with another matter, shall be omitted?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordI should view with favour the, principle of any Bill which has for its object the, simplification of agricultural valuations f but I am afraid I cannot pledge myself as to the Second Reading of the Bill in question until we have it before us and I am able to gather from the discussion what course the House would be likely to take with regard to the retention or omission of any particular, clause or clauses of the Bill, It is really a matter for the House and not for me to decide whether the Bill is contentious or not.
§ MR. CHANNINGIs it not obvious that if a Bill of this nature is not taken before 12 o'clock there, can practically be no discussion upon it?
§ MR. CHAPLINThe matter is in the hands of the House.