HC Deb 22 July 1919 vol 118 cc1193-4

A determination by a county council as to the period within which any money borrowed for the purpose of the exercise of their powers under this Act shall be repaid shall, if the money is borrowed after the passing of this Act and before the thirty-first day of March, nineteen hundred and twenty-six, be subject to the approval of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. — [Sir A. Boscuwen.]

Brought up, and read the first time.

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I beg to move, That the Clause be read a second time. The object of the Clause is very simple. During the provisional period of seven years the whole deficit would be found by the taxpayer. It would, therefore, obviously be to the interest of the council to let the taxpayer pay as much as possible and therefore to borrow for a very short time. In the interest of the protection of the taxpayer, we take power here to dissent from the term "during which the loan is borrowed."

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause accordingly read a second time, and added to the Bill.

The following new Clauses stood on the Paper in the name of Sir A. Boscawen: In any case of acquisition of land by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under this Act. Sub-section (5) of Section one of the Small Holding Colonies Act, 1916 (which relates to compensation to labourers) shall apply with the substitution of references to this Act for references to that Act.

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I do not propose to move this at the present stage, because it is possible; that it might put some charge upon the public purse. I will, therefore, ask, on the conclusion of the Report stage, to recommit the Bill in respect of this, Clause.