HC Deb 28 April 1948 vol 450 cc498-500
The Lord Advocate

I beg to move, in page 81, line 41, at the end, to insert: 10. In Section twenty-six, in Subsection (2) (which Subsection relates to the renewal of a lease by tacit relocation) for the word 'renewed,' in both places where it occurs, there shall be substituted the words continued in force. This Amendment is introduced in order to make certain the position of leases which are renewed by tacit relocation. There was some discussion about this during the Committee stage, and to re- move any doubt, it is made abundantly clear that tacit relocation will not constitute a new lease, but will be regarded as a continuation of the existing lease.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 86, line 30, leave out from "thirty-four," to "Agriculture," in line 31, and insert: for the words 'this Act,' there shall be substituted the words 'this Part of this Act or Part I of the'. In line 33, leave out from "(1)," to end of line 37, and insert: for the words 'of this Act' there shall be substituted the words 'of this Part of this Act or of Part I of the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 5948' and the words from 'in the case of a holding' to 'fifty pounds' and the words 'and in the case of any other holding an arbiter' shall be omitted.

"6 & 7 Geo. 6. c. 22. The Housing (Agricultural Population) (Scotland) Act, 143." In section one, subsection (2).
[Mr. T. Fraser.]

Motion made, and Question proposed," That the Bill be now read the Third time."—(King's Consent signified.)

9.12 p.m.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Thomas Fraser)

I think it will be agreed on all sides of the House that the Bill has been considerably improved as a result of the detailed examination it has had during the Committee and Report stages. Many helpful and constructive suggestions have been made, and the Government responded to many requests made to improve the Bill so long as they did not impinge on its general policy and principles. There has been no impingement on the general policy of the Bill, of which we are very proud indeed. Since the Second Reading, 37 Clauses have been amended, but the fact that there have not been more Amendments is a tribute to the draftsmen and those who did the spade work which was necessary before this Bill was published.

Parts I and II of the Bill are the most important. Part I deals with the relationship of landlord and tenant, and Part II deals with the steps to be taken towards greater efficiency in agriculture. These Parts occupied II of the 15 Sittings in Committee, Part I taking eight days. These parts of the Bill make far-reaching changes, and it is gratifying to find that In line 38, leave out from "(2)," to "Agriculture," in line 39, and insert: for the words 'this Act' there shall be substituted the words 'this Part of this Act or by Part I of the'. In line 40, after "1948," insert: the words 'in pursuance of the foregoing Subsection or' shall be omitted."—[Mr. T. Fraser.]