§ [The references are to Bill No. 153.]
§ Clause 5, page 9, lines 9 and 10, after ("tenancy") insert ("or, where the tenancy is terminated by notice within two months after the service of the notice").
§ The Commons agree to this Amendment with an Amendment—to leave out ("within two months after the service of the notice") and insert ("as soon as possible thereafter").
1270§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, an Amendment has been made here to which I will ask your Lordships not to agree. It deals with the right of a tenant to a new lease in certain cases and subsection (2) of Clause 5 reads in this way:
Where such a notice is so served"—that is the notice claiming a new lease—the tribunal, on application being; made for the purpose either by the landlord or by the tenant not less than nine months before the termination of the tenancy, or where the tenancy is terminated by notice within two months after the service of the notice may … .and then come the words regarding the granting of a new lease. The Commons have passed an Amendment to leave out "within two months of the service of the notice" and to insert "as soon as possible thereafter." I am satisfied, and I think my right hon. friend the Home Secretary is now satisfied, that this Amendment was adopted by inadvertence, because, properly speaking, "as soon as possible thereafter" would mean as soon as possible after the lease has come to an end. That, of course, would be far too late for the consideration of the terms of the possible new lease. I feel sure that no objection will be taken elsewhere if we dissent from that Amendment and restore the words of the Bill.
§ Moved, That this House doth disagree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.