§ SIR DE LACY EVANSwished to put a question to the noble Lord the First Commissioner of Woods and Forests. A great number of persons were anxious (when it was convenient, and would not interfere with the works) to see the interior of the New House of Lords; and he wished to know if the noble Lord could name some time when the public could view it without inconvenience to the persons engaged in the building? There was another subject on which he also wished to put a question to the noble Lord. It had reference to the case of persons living in houses that were to be removed for the now street to be constructed in Westminster, and who had no leases of their houses. It appeared that the law gave no compensation to those persons, and they would suffer great loss by being removed from their dwellings. He hoped the noble Lord, if he had any power over the Commissioners, would take some means of inducing them to consider the very hard case of those individuals.
§ VISCOUNT MORPETH, with reference to the question put to him by his hon. and gallant Friend, begged leave to state that the subject had already engaged his attention. He thought that at some time the public should have an opportunity of seeing a building, towards the expenses of which they were called upon to contribute so largely. He was also desirous they should see a building of so much splendour. He had accordingly had a communication with the architect on the subject; and he found that with the view of redeeming his pledge to have the New House of Lords in a fit state to be opened for public business at the end of the Easter recess, it would not be possible to admit the public before 20 that period. So far from that, he would take that opportunity of giving notice, that after Saturday next no person whatever could be admitted, for some time, within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster, and that prohibition would extend to the Members of both Houses of Parliament. But when the proper time arrived, he should be rejoiced to take steps with the concurrence of the authorities of the House to admit the public to see what had been done.