MR. GOLDSMIDasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Govern- 1044 ment propose to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the demolition of the premises lately occupied by Drummond's Bank, to purchase the site for the extension of public offices; and, if not, if he would explain why they forego the opportunity?
§ COLONEL STANLEY,in reply, said, it was not the intention of the Government to purchase the site referred to by the hon. Gentleman. The duty of the Government had been to see, in the first instance, what site would be most advantageous to the public service; and, although they were alive to the merits of Mr. Mitford's scheme, which appeared to combine the acquisition of a site for public offices with what appeared to be a metropolitan improvement, they did not feel at liberty to allow the latter to outweigh more practical considerations.