HC Deb 05 February 1931 vol 247 cc2228-9
Dr. ADDISON

I beg to move, in page 12, line 29, to leave out the word "purchase," and to insert instead thereof the word "acquire."

The Amendment has been put down in order to ensure the use of a word which would cover the holding of land by a county council where it was not actually purchased, but acquired by lease. Therefore, in order to cover the position, I am advised that the word "acquire" should be substituted for the word "purchase."

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Will it be possible, under this Amendment, for the State to acquire land, say, in lieu of Death Duties, and to pass it on to the county council, and so avoid direct payment? I do not raise this matter in any controversial spirit, but it seems to me that something of that kind might possibly arise.

Dr. ADDISON

It is possible to transfer land or to acquire land in lieu of Estate Duty, but that is dealt with under a special Statute relating thereto. There are Statutes which relate to the acquisition of land which may be offered to the State in lieu of Estate Duty. The Crown Lands Commissioners, of which I am one, a short time ago acquired an estate in lieu of Death Duties. It would be open to the Ministry, I suppose, but not as such, to acquire, if it wished to do so, land which had been offered in that way, and as far as its tenure is concerned it would then become the freeholder of the land, and it could lease the land to a county council.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

I beg to move, in page 12, line 30, after the word "thereon," to insert the words: in accordance with the provisions of the Smallholdings and Allotments Acts, 1908 to 1926, fur the provision of small holdings. I formally move the Amendment on behalf of my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Oxford (Captain Bourne) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maldon (Lieut.-Colonel RugglesBrise), in whose names it stands. I hope that the Minister will accept the Amendment, because I believe it would be in the best interests of the Bill and of the country.

Mr. HASLAM

I beg to second the Amendment.

Dr. ADDISON

The hon. Member is aware that, in accordance with an arrangement that has been arrived at, there is a new Clause on the Order Paper to give effect to the powers of transfer, where there has been agreement between the Ministry and the council. I have put down the new Clause, and I understand that under Mr. Speaker's Ruling it is necessary to re-commit the Bill in respect of that Clause, which will cover the point raised in the Amendment moved by the hon. Member.

Mr. WILLIAMS

In view of the satisfactory explanation, I beg leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.