HC Deb 21 December 1927 vol 212 cc510-1

Lords Amendment: In page 23, line 31, at the end, insert The expression 'landlord' means any person who under a lease is, as between himself and the tenant or other lessee, for the time being entitled to the rents and profits of the demised premises payable under the lease.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

This Amendment is a definition of the word "landlord." Under the Agricultural Holdings Act there was a definition which has been seriously animadverted upon in cases in the Court of Appeal, and by Mr. Justice Atkins in a recent case. The hon. Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Withers) is responsible for the definition in the Bill, and the hon. Member for Altrincham (Mr. Atkinson) suggested an Amendment which he thought would be better, and that Amendment has been carefully considered, and we have now got an Amendment which will satisfy all the lawyers.

Subsequent Lords Amendments to page 23, lines 36 to 38, agreed to.

Lords Amendment: In page 24, line 14, at the end insert: The expression 'statutory company' means any company constituted by or under an Act of Parliament to construct, work or carry on any gas, water, electricity, tramway, hydraulic power, dock, canal or railway undertaking; and the expression 'public utility company' means any company within the meaning of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, or a society registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, 1893 to 1913, carrying on any such undertaking.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

This Amendment was moved to meet an undertaking which was given to hon. Members opposite, and I think it meets the case.

Lords Amendment: In page 24, line 16, leave out "regulations made by the reference Committee" and insert "County Court Rules."

Consequential Amendment to the Lords Amendment made: After the words last inserted, insert except that in relation to proceedings before the High Court, it means prescribed by rules of the Supreme Court."—(Sir W. Joynson-Hicks.)

Subsequent Lords Amendment to page 24, line 16, agreed to.