HL Deb 23 December 1920 vol 39 cc908-9

Clause 8, page 14, line 20, leave out ("three") and insert ("six").

The Commons disagree with this Amendment for the following Reason:

Because compensation ought not to be withheld where a tenant has died more than three months before the notice to quit.

LORD LEE OF FAREHAM

This is the Amendment which is printed at the top of page 2 and is now in its proper place. This is the case where compensation is not payable and where the tenant with whom the contract was made has died within three months of the notice to quit. When this matter was before your Lordships it was proposed to strike out "three" and insert "six," and it was held strongly in the Commons that six months was an excessive time to apply to this provision so they re-inserted the words "three months."

Moved, That this House doth not insist on the said Amendment and agrees to the Amendment proposed by the House of Commons to that Amendment.—(Lord Lee of Fareham.)

THE EARL OF SELBORNE

It is possible that six months may be too long, but I think my noble friend opposite entirely agreed when I pointed out to him that three months might be too short. Take the case of a man who might be on public service on the other side of the earth: how could he possibly send an answer in three months? I hope my noble friend will agree to some intermediate term.

LORD LEE OF FAREHAM

I do not know whether your Lordships feel so strongly on this as to wish to send the Bill back on this account. I am very loth to make any alterations in this matter at all.

On Question, Motion agreed to.