HC Deb 11 November 1927 vol 210 cc557-8
Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I beg to move, in page 12, line 42, at the end, to insert the words: including any costs, charges, or expenses incurred by a landlord in opposing any proposal by a tenant to execute an improvement, or in contesting a claim for compensation. Section 20 of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1923, gives certain powers relating to charges in respect of money paid for compensation, and it is sought by this Clause to apply those powers to the case of money paid for compensation under this Act. A landlord may be a tenant for life and if he opposes a claim for compensation he may incur a considerable amount in the shape of law costs. He may not be able to get those costs from the tenant, but even then I think it is only right that he should be able to include them as against his own estate. This Amendment does not affect the tenant, and I think there is a good deal to be said for it. In this case the costs will be paid out of the capital money, and there will be no loss or obligation upon the tenant.

Mr. WITHERS

I beg to move, as an Amendment to the proposed Amendment, after the word "any," to insert the word "proper." I suggest to the Home Secretary that it will be better to follow the ordinary wording.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I accept the Amendment to the proposed Amendment.

Amendment to the proposed Amendment agreed to.

Proposed words, as amended, there inserted in the Bill.