§ MR. LOCKE KINGsaid, he would beg to ask the first Commissioner of Works, Why the Subway at the foot of Westminster Bridge has not been connected with the Embankment at Cannon Row; and whether it is now intended to be kept for the sole benefit and exclusive use of the Metropolitan Railway?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, in reply, that the subway was a project suggested some years ago for the purpose of enabling Members of Parliament to pass quietly from Parliament-street into Palace-yard without the risk of being run over. But since it was first proposed, the Metropolitan Railway had been carried to Westminster Bridge, and the Thames Embankment had been constructed. Ground on the opposite side of New Bridge Street, which had been formerly in the possession of the Office of Works, had recently been sold to the Metropolitan Railway Company; and, 589 therefore, there was no egress from the subway on that side, except to the company's station. The company had undertaken to afford an egress at their station. As to the connection of the subway with the Embankment, he had been in communication with the Metropolitan. Board of Works, and had urged upon them the propriety of making such a connection, and the matter was, he believed, under the consideration of the Metropolitan Board of Works; but until they had come to a final determination on the subject he could not give the hon. Gentleman a final answer. Any further approach or egress must unfortunately be made upon land belonging to the railway company, and they said, not unreasonably, that they had paid a price to the Government for the land, and could not be asked to surrender any portion of it without being paid for it.