Without this amendment, the Bill would achieve its purpose, because Section 4 of the Act of 1926, which is the section we are amending, runs as follows:—
"The Principal Act shall as from the twenty-fourth day of June, 1926, be construed and have effect as if sub-section (1) of Section 3 thereof were amended as follows, that is to say, by the deletion of the first paragraph of the said sub-section, which paragraph begins with the words: ‘This Act shall' and ends with the words ‘a dwelling-house to which this Act applies,' and the insertion of the following paragraph in lieu of the paragraph so deleted, that is to say:
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section this Act shall in respect of any particular house or part of a house let as a separate dwelling (a) apply to such house or part of a house...."
Therefore, the Act would apply to these houses with the words 24th June, 1930, instead of 24th June, 1928. That section would, I think, be perfectly clear in itself and would carry on the Act. But I agree with Deputy Kerlin that it is much more artistic and correct to have this Section 2 amended also. Possibly, it is not strictly necessary because the particular statement that it actually applied to this class of house would overrule any general section. But I agree with the Deputy that it is entirely advisable that no doubts of any kind should arise in the interpretation of this Act. Therefore, I am accepting the suggestion made by the Deputy yesterday, and I have handed in this amendment, which carries out the suggestion which the Deputy made. I am obliged to the Deputy for pointing out what might be a difficulty.