§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Clause 1.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. GARDNER,) Essex, Saffron WaldenI hope the Bill will be allowed to pass. It was accepted unanimously by the House the other night. There is only one clause practically. The object is to enable landowners in Scotland to charge upon 1423 their estates the expense of planting trees. Under the Act of 1864 they were unable to do that either in England or in Scotland unless the trees were for shelter. By an Act passed in 1882 English landowners were allowed to do this, and it is now proposed to give Scotch landowners the same facilities. The Bill is approved by both sides of the House.
§ MR. BROMLEY - DAVENPORT (Cheshire, Macclesfield)Although this Bill was unanimously accepted by the House on Friday, this is the first explanation we have had of its provisions. I am bound to protest against the action of the Government in asking us to take the Second Reading of any Bill on such meagre explanation.
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)Identically the same explanation was given the other night.
§ MR. CONYBEAREI was present and heard it.
§ Clause agreed to.
§ Clause 2.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Gibson Bowles.)
§ Mr. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I wish to ask whether the Rule as to the reception of Motions to report Progress applied after 12 o'clock in the same way as before?
§ MR. H. GARDNERI hope the hon. Member who has moved to report Progress will consult his friends. He will learn that this Bill is very much desired in Scotland.
* MR. GIBSON BOWLESThe right hon. Gentleman has got all the time of the House. He cannot expect us to pass these Bills after midnight.
§ MR. H. GARDNERThis is a Bill of a character which is never brought on except after midnight.
§ Motion agreed to.
1424§ Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.