§ MR. W. HOPE (Somersetshire, N)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that a landowner in Somerset has sent to his tenants a new clause to be added to their agreements, the practical effect of which will be to cause them to contract themselves out of The Agricultural Holdings Act, 1906, and in the case of any tenant declining to sign the clause has given him notice to quit his holding; and whether the Government will take action to prevent the intention of Parliament being so evaded.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN,) Stirling BurghsThe attention of my noble friend the President of the Board of Agriculture has been directed to this matter. In his opinion the clause to which my hon. friend refers is open to considerable objection and is likely, if pressed, to give rise to litigation. As I have already indicated, the working of the Act of last session will be carefully watched, and we shall be quite ready to take such steps us may be necessary to prevent its intention from being defeated.