§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNE, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said its intention chiefly was to benefit persons having a limited interest in land.
§ After some objections by Lord MONTEAGLE, and an explanation from the Marquess of LANSDOWNE.
§ LORD REDESDALEsaid, that the Bill went much too far. Supposing an aged proprietor detested his successor, this Bill gave him a power at the last stage of his life to lease the whole of the property for ninety-nine years, excepting only the house and park in which it stood, and thus he would deprive the heir and his offspring of the enjoyment of the estate; for who could think of living ninety-nine years after succeeding to an estate? For the purpose of drainage and improvement, a lease of ninety-nine years was an absurdity; a term of years not beyond twenty was certainly quite long enough for any such purpose. Perhaps in cases of building leases the longer term might not be unfair; but there ought to be some independent sanction given to transactions of this kind. He did not know whether there were in Ireland a body like the Enclosure Commissioners in 9 England. If there were, what would be easier than to make it necessary, as a preliminary step to a lease, that this public body should certify that the land was of a proper description to set aside for building-purposes, or for improvements by drainage or otherwise? Great care should be taken in this kind of legislation not to give to any parties a power to commit injustice and grievous wrong.
The EARL of GLENGALLobjected to the Bill as giving enormous powers to tenants in possession of leases for terms of years. He should propose a number of Amendments in Committee, with the view of limiting the operation of the Bill.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEwas understood to say, that he should have no objection to make alterations in Committee.
§ On Question, Resolved in the Affirmative.
§ Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday, May 27.