MR. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)asked the First Commissioner of Works, regarding the contract for the Liverpool Post Office, whether the clause therein making the Government not responsible for the quantities was not an unusual one in works of such magnitude; and whether he would permit the esti- 279 mate of the quantities to form part of the contract?
MR. H. GLADSTONEThe advertisement inviting tenders for the new post office at Liverpool notifies, as usual in the case of all new works under the Department, that the Commissioners of Works do not hold themselves responsible for the accuracy of the bills of quantities. The question of making an alteration in the practice of the Department is a very serious one. It is now receiving consideration from the technical officers of the Board, and it shall he decided as soon as possible.
MR. LAWRENCEasked whether it was the invariable custom of the Board of Works to issue an advertisement on the lines of the present one?