§ SIR WILLIAM MOLESWORTHmoved for leave to bring in a Bill to enable the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Works to provide additional offices for the public service, in or near Downing Street. The object of the Bill was to provide for the rebuilding of the Government offices in Downing Street, which were at present in a very dilapidated condition.
§ MR. HENLEYsaid, he thought it was desirable that some plans or report should be laid before the House, which would afford them information as to the alterations contemplated by the Bill.
§ SIR WILLIAM MOLESWORTHsaid, that the Bill would be referred to a Select Committee, before whom a general plan of the intended alterations and an estimate of their expense would be laid. The Bill would then come down again to the House, and hon. Members would have an opportunity of considering the plans and the report of the Committee.
§ SIR WILLIAM JOLLIFFEsaid, he wished to know whether the expenditure for the proposed buildings would render any local taxation necessary?
§ SIR WILLIAM MOLESWORTH,in reply, said, that the offices to which the Bill referred were required for the service of the Government, and the sum necessary for their erection must, therefore, be provided by Parliament.
§ In reply to Mr. HADFIELD,
§ MR. WILSONsaid, that the agreement for a renewal of the lease of the house occupied by the Duke of Buccleuch had been entered into by the Government of Lord Derby, and was confirmed by the Government of Lord Aberdeen.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he begged to inquire whether any measures had been taken, in conformity with a re- 1831 commendation of Sir Charles Barry, to connect the public offices with the Houses of Parliament?
§ SIR WILLIAM MOLESWORTHsaid, a plan bad been submitted to his consideration by Sir Charles Barry for building public offices in the neighbourhood of the Houses of Parliament, and he had laid that proposal before the Treasury, but the object of this Bill was chiefly to provide for the rebuilding of the public offices in Downing Street, which were at present in a most dilapidated condition. The Foreign-office and the Colonial-office, especially, were in such a state of dilapidation that they required to be propped up on all sides. They were also in a very unhealthy condition. Indeed, they were perfect nuisances, and any change must be for the better.
§ VISCOUNT EBRINGTONhoped, when such a necessity existed for providing public offices, that the vacant space near Downing Street, which had remained unoccupied for so many years, would be rendered available.
§ Motion agreed to. Leave given.
§ Bill to be brought in by Sir WILLIAM MOLESWORTH and Mr. HAYTER.
§ Bill read 1o
§ The House adjourned at half after Twelve o'clock.