§ LORD ELCHOsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether any Survey has been made by a competent Surveyor of the present state of the Exhibition building of 1862; and, if so, whether he will lay such Survey on the table before any Vote for the purchase of the building is brought forward?
MR. COWPERreplied, that the building had been carefully surveyed by Mr. Hunt, the Surveyor of the Office of Works, and the estimate which he formed of the building as the result of those inquiries was moved for last night and would be presented to-morrow morning, and would at once be placed in the bands of Members.
§ LORD ELCHOsaid, his Question referred to the Report of the Surveyor, whether he has made a Report to the Government, and whether his right hon. Friend will lay that Report before Parliament?
MR. COWPERreplied, that he could not say at that moment whether there was any document in existence which would convey the opinion of the Surveyor to the House. He knew that the Surveyor had formed an opinion, but he was unable to answer the question as to the presentation of the Report till to-morrow.