§ SIR DE LACY EVANSsaid, he would beg to ask the First Commissioner of Woods what the definite intentions of Government were as to the removal or the contrary of the buildings on either side of Bridge-street, Westminster-bridge; and if one or both sides of that street were intended to be removed, at what period it might be intended to carry the same into effect?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSsaid, he had to state that it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill in this Session of Parliament directing a bridge to be built across the Thames at Westminster, but that measure would not include the property on the south side of Bridge-street. The hon. and gallant Gentleman was probably aware that the houses on the north side of Bridge-street were the property of the Westminster-bridge Commissioners, with the exception of one house; and he (Lord John Manners) believed the leases would very shortly fall in. But with regard to the houses on the south side of Bridge-street, their purchase, he feared, would be a very expensive affair; and it was the opinion of the Government that their removal was not necessarily connected with the erection of a bridge across the Thames. Their removal, doubtless, would be a great improvement to the appearance of the New Palace of Westminster, though the cost that would necessarily be incurred would in all probability prevent that removal taking place. When the Bill which he had previously mentioned was before Parliament, the hon. and gallant Gentleman would then have an opportunity of seeing what were the intentions of the Government on the subject.