§ SIR THOMAS CHAMBERSasked the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works, What progress has been made as to the buildings to be erected in Northumberland Avenue; and, whether in conformity with the Act of Parliament any design for them has been submitted to the Council of the Royal 379 Institute of British Architects; and, if so, with what result; and, whether it is the intention of the Board to insist on the adoption of a general harmonious design for the several blocks of buildings, in order to secure an effective and satisfactory architectural result, and render the new street worthy of the situation and of the Metropolis?
§ SIR JAMES McGAREL-HOGGSir, in answer to the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's Question, I beg to inform him that, although tenders have been accepted for about one-fifth of the building area in Northumberland Avenue, the plans and elevations of the buildings to be erected on only one plot have as yet been submitted to the Board. This elevation has been submitted to the Royal Institute of British Architects, and has been returned with suggestions which are now under consideration. With regard to the second part of the Question, I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that the Board is quite as anxious as he can be that the buildings in Northumberland Avenue shall be in every way worthy of the situation and the metropolis, and the whole question is being carefully considered.