HL Deb 03 July 1924 vol 58 cc206-8

Page 1, line 18, after ("himself") insert ("or for any son or daughter of his over eighteen years of age ").

The Commons disagree with this Amendment for the following Reason: Because they consider that it is undesirable that a sitting tenant should be displaced for a son or daughter of the landlord.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, T move that your Lordships do not insist upon this Amendment.

Moved, That this House doth not insist on the said Amendment.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

EARL BEAUCHAMP

Perhaps your Lordships will allow me to intervene for one or two minutes. I desire to express hearty concurrence in the words spoken by the noble Viscount, Lord Cave. Not only is it the right but the duty of this House to move Amendments to Bills which come up to this House, and even if we do not intend to insist upon them as a final matter, at any rate it is our duty to put forward our views. No one is stronger in this House than I am upon the rights of this House in matters of that kind, and I rejoice to think that both sides of the House are so nearly in agreement upon the present occasion. The Amendment with regard to aliens is not to be insisted upon, and the first Amendment has been disposed of. I venture to think that the moment has come when both sides of the House might put their heads together and agree to let this Bill pass without any further difficulty. The remaining Amendments really relate to very small matters, but this is a Bill which, as you may remember, was originally introduced by a member of the political Party to which I belong, and it is a useful measure. I do not suggest that surrender should be made entirely by one side or the other, but there should be a little compromise, and I cannot help thinking that a little good will on both sides would result in an agreement being reached. I make my appeal to the Government equally with the Front Opposition Bench, and I venture to hope that by the exercise of good will this Bill may be carried without delay.

THE MARQUESS CURZON OF KEDLESTON

The noble Earl has made an appeal for good will. Good will has already been shown by noble Lords on this side of the House, and we have indicated, through the mouth of the noble Viscount, Lord Cave, our willingness not to insist upon two of the Amendments, which are of importance. We have met with no corresponding advance from the other side, and, indeed, the noble and learned Viscount has told us that, whereas we have suggested that your Lordships should give way on two important points, the Government are going to give way on none. On the contrary, his proposal is, if not to divide the House, at any rate to resist the proposals with regard to all the other Amendments. At this stage the noble Earl comes in and suggests that we should all show a spirit of compromise and good will. Most admirable advice, but it should be directed to the Lord Chancellor, and if he could persuade the Lord Chancellor to adopt an attitude, which suits him so well, the attitude of compromise and good will, we should be delighted. Then there would be no necessity to divide. But we await an advance from the noble and learned Lord, for which we have already set him such an excellent example.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I am a little nervous as to what reception the proposal of my noble friend Lord Beauchamp might receive from his own friends in another place. It is their Bill. These words as to sons and daughters over eighteen have been inserted in this Bill. The Government does not assent to them, and I do not know whether my noble friend's allies in that House assent to them either. In any case, I certainly should not assent to them. I think this is an objectionable intrusion in such a Bill. I therefore move that we do not insist on this Amendment.