§ MR. LABOUCHEREwished to put a question to his right hon. Friend the Chief Commissioner of Works on a subject of considerable interest to the metropolis. Hon. Members were aware that there was now a vacant space on the south side of St. Paul's Cathedral, occasioned by the recent destruction of premises, and from which the only unobstructed view of that noble pile could be obtained. He thought it would be disgraceful alike to the country and the metropolis if that vacant space were allowed to be covered again; it was understood it might be purchased for about a sum of 60,000l., and be thought that ought to be done. He was quite aware of the difficulties which beset a question of this sort; but he would ask his right hon. Friend to state to the House whether his attention had been directed to the subject, with a view of preventing the space in question being again covered with buildings?
§ SIR W. MOLESWORTHreplied, that his attention had been called to the subject some months ago; and, while he entirely agreed with his right hon. Friend that the open ground to which he had alluded ought not to be again covered—it being 373 the only place from which an unobstructed view of St. Paul's could be obtained—they must remember that land belonged, not to the Government, but to the City of London, and, as his right hon. Friend had stated, was valued at the sum of 60,000l.; now, although, he might be of opinion that it would be a gross act of Vandalism on the part of the City authorities to build upon it, he as Commissioner of Works had no power to prevent it, nor had he any funds at his disposal for the purchase of the ground in question; indeed, he did not think if he had, that Parliament ought to give 60,000l. to the City of London for the purpose of inducing them to do their duty. He would willingly second any plan that would prevent the land alluded to being built over, provided it did not involve the outlay of the public funds, and he promised to bring the matter to the attention of the City authorities.