HC Deb 09 April 1937 vol 322 cc503-4

(1) Any question or difference as to the price or value of sheep stock required in terms of any lease (whether entered into before or after the passing of this Act) to be taken over at the termination of the tenancy by the landlord or incoming tenant, may, if both partial agree, in lieu of being determined in the manner provided in the lease, be determined by the Land Court, and the Land Court shall, on the joint application of the parties, determine such question or difference accordingly.

(2) The provisions of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Acts, 1886 to 1931, with regard to the Land Court shall, with any necessary modifications, apply for the purpose of the determination of any such question or difference as aforesaid in like manner as those provisions apply for the purpose of the determination by the Land Court of matters referred to them under those Acts.—[Mr. Elliot.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

11.7 a.m.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Elliot)

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

It will be remembered by those hon. Members who were present at the Debates in the Standing Committee that the question was raised as to whether it would not be convenient to carry out the suggestion of the Kinross Committee and make it optional for the Land Court to act as an arbiter in these disputes. That point was raised particularly by the right hon. Member for West Stirling (Mr. Johnston), and we undertook to do something in the matter between then and the Report stage. It appears that this proposal, if left on an optional basis, would command the respect both of landlords and tenants.

11.8 a.m.

Mr. T. Johnston

Speaking for my hon. Friends behind me, I welcome this new Clause. It meets the desire which we expressed on the Committee stage, and it is also in conformity with the recommendation of the Kinross Committee. I think that this will be a very important Section of the Bill, bringing in for the first time valuers of great experience, and bringing in a public body. The Kinross Committee said that the decisions of the arbiters, if supported by the Scottish Land Court, would command general respect.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.