§ MR. AGLIONBYsaid, he believed this would be a proper opportunity for asking a question connected with the Minister of War. He referred to the removal of the Inclosure Commission from the house in which they had been located to make room for the War Minister. He did not think that the Government was aware of the importance of keeping the Commission where it was. He did not mean merely the Commissioners and their clerks, but he spoke in behalf of the public and of 317 the landowners of the country, who were most interested in the question. The Commission had in its keeping some 75,000 documents and maps connected with land. The House and the Government could not be aware that the Commission had been removed already four times, and when it was removed from Somerset House to its present office in Whitehall, it took two months to effect its removal and six months for the rearrangement of its documents, and the arrangement was, at present, most perfect for the purposes of inspection. Neither, he apprehended, could the Government be aware that at least eighty persons were at the office every day inquiring or inspecting, documents relating to titles, copyholds, and inclosures; and in the space of three minutes any one could see the map or document he required.
§ MR. WILSONsaid, with regard to what had been stated by the hon. Member for Cockermouth (Mr. Aglionby), he could only say that the Treasury had used every possible exertion to secure a suitable place for the Minister of War without disturbing the Inclosure Commissioners, and it was not till it was found impossible to obtain a place for the Minister of War near to the other Government offices in Downing Street, that it was determined to remove the Commissioners to St. James's Square, where, he was told, the house was quite suitable for them, and containing every convenience that they now enjoyed. It was of more importance that the Minister of War should have his offices near Downing Street than for the Inclosure Commissioners to remain there.