§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.); I have to move the Second Reading of this Bill, the principle of which has already been affirmed by the House. It is felt in Scotland, and by those who visit Scotland, that a great grievance exists in respect of the exclusion of the public from largo tracts of country containing the finest scenery, and which would be far more accessible to a great number of persons for purposes of health and recreation if the law were amended in the way this Bill proposed. I rest the case for the Bill on the fact that it has been long desired, that a large number of petitions in its favour have been presented, and that its principle has been affirmed by the House. The Bill is hedged round with safeguards, but I should be glad to consider any suggestions that might be made in Committee, if further safeguards are needed. I shall be most happy to enter on the discussion in a spirit of compromise, and I hope, therefore, that the Bill will he allowed to pass its Second Reading without opposition.
§ Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr.Bryce.)
§ MR. RENSHAW (Renfrewshire, W.)The right hon. Gentleman has introduced this Bill in a very few words, and I gather that he did so not so much because of the short period during which the discussion on it can last as because he believes the measure to be one which will commend itself so much to the public of Scotland and to the Members of this House as to require very little discussion. But I am bound to say I could never understand why this Bill should be particularly desired in Scotland and not in any other part of the United Kingdom.
§ MR. RENSHAWMy right hon. friend says the grievance is greater in Scotland than in any other part of the country; but surely, if it is right that the public should have free access to large tracts of country now in private possession in Scotland, there should be equal right of admission to similar tracts in England, Ireland, and Wales.
§ MR. RENSHAWI am quite sure of this, that anyone who has lived in Scotland as long as I have would not hesitate to say we have as great freedom in 999 cases out of 1,000 in' Scotland as is enjoyed in any other part of the United Kingdom. It is in only a few exceptional cases that any difficulty arises. The right hon. Gentleman said he was ready to accept Amendments to the Bill to meet any defects which might be found in it, but for my part I object to the Bill fundamentally. I believe it constitutes a grave departure from precedent and established practice, and if it were carried it might have injurious effects on certain industries. I would like to remind the House that many moorland districts are to be found in the neighbourhood of big cities, such as Glasgow, Greenock, Ayr, Perth, and Dundee, and the effect of passing legislation of this kind might be absolutely destructive to the use of these lands for the purposes of sheep farming.
It being half-past Five of the clock, the debate stood adjourned.
Debate to be resumed upon Tuesday next.