§ Mr. LANE-FOXasked why the Agricultural Rating Act is, under the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, only to be renewed for a period of nine months from the date of its expiry, instead of for the longer period for which it has been previously renewed?
§ Mr. GRETTONasked why it is proposed' to continue the Agricultural Rating Act, 1896, until 31st December, 1910, that is, for a period of nine months only after 31st March, instead of for a full financial and rating year?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe reason why the Agricultural Rates Act is continued for a shorter period than previously 571 is that it is now proposed to continue it by the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill instead of by a special Bill confined to that Act alone. It is the custom to continue all Acts continued by the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill only to 31st December in the year succeeding that in which the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill is passed.