HL Deb 17 February 1926 vol 63 cc144-5

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (THE EARL OF DONOUGOMORE)

My Lords, I beg to move that the Halifax Corporation Bill be read a second time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Earl of Donoughmore.)

LORD STRACHIE had given Notice to move, That it be an instruction to the Committee on the Halifax Corporation Bill [H.L.], clause 15, at end to insert: "Nothing in this section shall exonerate the Corporation from any obligation imposed upon them by law to pay compensation in respect of lands to which the enactments relating to agricultural holdings, allotments or market gardens apply."

The noble Lord said: My Lords, the instruction is intended to protect tenant farmers, market gardeners and also allotment holders. Under the Bill as at present drafted these people will be turned out of their holdings without any compensation for disturbance or any compensation for tenants' rights, but I am very pleased to say that I shall not have to trouble your Lordships with the proposed instruction this afternoon as the promoters of the Bill have undertaken that when the Bill is considered in Committee in this House they will insert the words which I have put down on the Paper. I have only to say that I am much obliged to the promoters for having met me in this matter.

THE EARL OF DONOUGHMORE

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for adopting the course he has taken this afternoon. For reasons which I need not go into, I infinitely prefer the procedure under which Amendments are made in Committee to amendments made by instructions. I am grateful to the noble Lord for accepting the undertaking which the promoters of the Bill have given. There will, of course, be no difficulty in carrying it out in Committee.

On Question, Bill read 2a.