§ MR. HARDCASTLEsaid, he wished to ask the Vice President of the Board of Trade, Whether there is any probability that the unsightly groups of piling which obstruct the River between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford will be removed; and, if so, when; and, whether he can state with whom the responsibility rests?
LORD OTHO FITZGERALDsaid, he also wished to ask the Vice President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the "Piling Obstructions in the River" mentioned in the Question of the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmund's, If he would reply to the same query with reference to a much more formidable obstruction of the same nature that reaches full half-way across the River opposite Battersea Park, and has there existed for a much longer period?
§ MR. STEPHEN CAVEstated, in reply, that the piles alluded to by the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmund's were erected by the Waterloo and Whitehall Railway Company under their Act of 1865. The works had been at a stand-still since October, 1866, and the Directors had stated at general meetings that they were without funds. Their powers expired in July, 1870. They had brought in a Bill for extension of time this Session, which the Thames Conservators had opposed, and the Company had agreed to a provision that all the works on the river should be completed by July, 1870. After that date the Board of Trade or the Conservators might remove the obstructions. With regard to the Question of the noble Lord the Member for Kildare, the obstruction off Battersea Park was the temporary staging of the Albert Bridge. The Act was passed in 1864, and the powers expired in 1869, 1578 when the obstruction might be removed in a similar manner. He was afraid the responsibility rested in both instances with the Committees of Parliament which passed the Bills.