§ Mr. Arbuthnot having moved the third reading of this bill,
Mr. Hobhousewished to ask the right hon. gentleman how soon these improvements were likely to be commenced, as it was of considerable importance to the householders, whose property would be affected thereby, that they should be made acquainted with this fact as early as possible, in order that they might make their arrangements accordingly.
§ Mr. Arbuthnotsaid, that if this bill, should be permitted to pass into a law, the commissioners would feel it their duty to lose no time in carrying it into execution. He could not, however, speak accurately as to the time when these improvements would be commenced, until, by purchase or exchange, he gained possession of the buildings which would have to be pulled down. He should, however, feel it his duty to consult the public accommodation as much as possible. As he was up, he would take that opportunity of correcting a mistake which had gone abroad, respecting what he had said on a former occasion. It had been represented, that he had said, in answer to a suggestion that these improvements could 736 not be carried into full effect unless that part of the Strand in the vicinity of Exeter Change were widened, that the marquis of Exeter was averse to such a measure. Mow, he had merely said, that it was desirable, whilst we were devising public improvements, that we should interfere as little as possible with private property; and since then, he had had communications with the marquis of Exeter and the duke of Bedford, and both those noblemen expressed their anxiety to lend their aid towards the accomplishment of the proposed improvement.
§ The bill was read a third time.