The House of Commons has been engaged throughout the week
with the Land Tenure Bill On Monday the discussion centred on the meaning of game, the Opposition opposing the inclusion of deer in the definition. The debate showed a confusion and uncertainty in the minds of the promoters of the Bill which well justified Mr. Balfour's epithet of "Cimmerian darkness." Clause IV., which gives the tenant full right to cultivate the holding as he thinks fit, provided provision is made against deterioration, was 'criticised with great acumen and moderation by Colonel Kenyon-Slaney. The Solicitor-General for Scotland argued that the clause went no further than the Agricultural Holdings Act of 1900. The clause was debated by Mr. Wyndham, Mr. Balfour, and others, and only disposed of after an all-night sitting. On Tuesday, Clause V., which gives a tenant compensation for unreasonable disturbance, was considered. The Government accepted many amendments, but Mr. Balfour opposed the clause strongly, inasmuch as it introduced the principle of dual ownership. The same clause occupied the House on Wednesday, when it was passed with the Government amend. manta ; and Sir E. Strachey announced that he was prepared. to make great concessions on Clause VII., which defined the things a tenant might do without the consent of his landlord. All that was intended was to give a tenant the right to execute without leave building repairs when they were necessary to the cultivation of his holding. These concessions were accepted gratefully by the Opposition, and carried by large majorities in spite of some Radical protests.
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