§ MR. COWPERsaid, he rose to move for leave to introduce a Bill to authorize the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Works and Public Buildings to acquire, by compulsory purchase or otherwise, certain lands, houses, and premises in the Parish of St. Margaret, Westminster, The houses in question were those lying between Parliament Street, King Street, and Charles Street, and their removal become necessary to enable the front of the quadrangle formed by the new Government Offices to be completed. The purchase of these houses had been in contemplation for a considerable time, but they had not been interfered with till the progress in the erection of the Public Offices rendered it actually necessarry to remove them.
§ MR. LOCKEsaid, he was of opinion that this was a very bit-by-bit mode of proceeding which was proposed by the right hon. Gentleman. All the houses down to Westminster Abbey must ultimately come down, and would it not, therefore, be better to purchase them at once? When the new Offices were built the houses in the vicinity would immediately become more valuable.
§ MR. COWPERsaid, the Bill which he desired to introduce did all that was necessary for providing the site which was wanted for Public Offices. The widening of the southern end of Parliament Street would be an important metropolitan improvement, but it could not be included among the purposes of this Bill.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to authorize the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Works and Public Buildings to acquire, by compulsory purchase or otherwise, certain lands, houses, and premises, in the parish of St, Mar- 434 garet, Westminster; and for other purposes, ordered to be brought in by Mr. COWPER and Mr. GUILDERS.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 10.]