§ 68. Mr. E. BROWNasked the Home Secretary whether he has any statement to make as to the date of coming into operation of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1927?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI presume that the hon. Member is referring to the fact that 25th March—the date on which the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1927, came into operation—was a Sunday, and that tenants whose leases will expire on Lady Day next year, and who wished to make a claim under Section 4 of the Act, or to serve a notice under Section 5, were obliged to make their claim or serve their notice on Sunday. Section 23 of the Act provides that instruments under the Act may be served in one of three ways—by personal service, by leaving the instrument at the last known place of abode of the landlord or his agent, or by sending the instrument by registered post. I am advised that of these three methods, the first two would constitute good service, even though service was made on a Sunday. As regards the last, the question is not altogether free from doubt, and, if it appears that tenants have been damnified in this respect, I am prepared to consider the matter further.