HC Deb 05 August 1896 vol 43 cc1549-50

This Act shall continue in force for fin-years after the thirty-first day of March next after the passing thereof, and no longer, unless continued by Parliament.

CAPTAIN PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.) moved to limit the operation of the Bill to three years.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said he did not think the hon. Member was very serious in supposing that the Government would accept the Amendment. Five years was the period in the English Act, and it was necessary that the same period should be applied in the case of Scotland. After the Inquiry which was proposed to be held into the question of local rating there would be no difficulty in making provision for doing away with the temporary state of matters represented by the period of five years in the Bill.

MR. J. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

said that nothing that had taken place during the Debates in Committee had made those who were opposed to the Bill think any better of it than they did at first, and, therefore, the shortest time they could have the Bill in operation the better. In the burghs of Scotland public feeling was entirely opposed to the Bill, and even amongst the farmers in the north east there was no great desire for it. Some farmers thought the true remedy would be a reduction of rent, others that the relief proposed to be given was too small to have any effect on their condition, while others again, he was glad to say, felt the injustice of such a class piece of legislation, and would be glad if the term of the Bill was as short as possible.

MR. COURTENAY WARNER (Stafford, Lichfield)

supported the Amendment, on the ground that a shorter term would act as a goad to the Government to go a little faster in the matter of the proposed inquiry into local rating.

The Committee divided:—Ayes, 163; Noes, 75.—(Division List, No. 383.)

Clause 7 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

* THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS

The Question is that I Report this Bill, as amended, to the House. [Ministerial cheers.]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

said he did not intend to ask the House to deal with any other Bill that night. The first business to-morrow would be the Report stage of the Bill just passed, and he understood that no objection would be raised to the Third Reading being taken at the same time. The next business would be the West Highland Railway Guarantee Bill, and after that the Scotch Votes would be put down.