§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he intends to introduce a Bill, and, if so, when, for repealing or amending "The Agricultural Holdings Act, 1883," in the interest of tenant farmers?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordIf I thought that a measure for the repeal or the amendment of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1883, was urgently called for in the interest of tenant farmers, I should endeavour to deal with the question at the earliest opportunity. But I am not of that opinion. I believe, on the contrary, that its repeal would be injurious, and that, under that Act, even in its present form, tenant farmers were never in a stronger position for making advantageous agreements with landlords for themselves than they are at present. Under these circumstances, and in the present state of Public Business, I see nothing to be gained by the introduction of a Bill upon the subject.
§ MR. COBBIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is hardly a farmers' club or a Chamber of Agriculture which has not passed a resolution in favour of an amendment of the Act?
§ MR. CHAPLINI do not happen to be aware of that fact, but I do not know that I should have given a different answer if I had been aware of it.