§ "(1) Where a tenancy in a holding begun not less than five years next before the tenant thereof applies to have a fair rent fixed for the holding, and the tenant so applying either has at any time, whether before or after the passing of this Act, been a present tenant of that holding or of the substantial part thereof or was before the twenty-third day of August, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven, a tenant of that holding or of the substantial part thereof, the tenancy shall be a present tenancy within the meaning of the Land Law Acts, and the application shall be deemed to have been made by the present tenant.
§ (2) If at any time the landlord and tenant so agree, a future tenancy shall become a present tenancy within the meaning of the Land Acts."
§ He observed that as the first part of the clause referred to what might be called future tenants, and as the Chief Secretary had already intimated that he could not accept any clause in that direction, he should not move that part of it. Indeed, after such a prolonged sitting—the House had been sitting twelve and a half hours—he hardly felt competent to argue or debate it. He apprehended, however, that the right hon. Gentleman would accept the second sub-section. He would only move Sub-section (2) of the clause.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURsaid he had no objection to accepting the principle of the Amendment, but there was a clause on the Paper in the name of the hon. and learned Member for Louth, which he thought would meet the case better than that proposed by the Right hon. and learned Gentleman.
§ * MR. SERJEANT HEMPHILLsaid in that case he would withdraw the clause.
§ Clause, by leave, withdrawn.
569§ *MR. WALTER MORRISON (York, W. R., Skipton) moved the following clause:—