§ MR. MULLINGSasked the Chief Commissioner of Public Works and Buildings whether, having regard to the number of Judges both of law and equity, so greatly increased within the last thirty years, and that during that period no permanent courts had been provided for the additional Judges appointed, and to the want of proper accommodation for them, it was the intention of the Government to take any and what measures, and when, for providing proper buildings and accommodation for superior courts of justice in the metropolis?
§ SIR WILLIAM MOLESWORTHsaid, several schemes had been brought under his consideration for the purpose of removing the law courts from Westminster Hall 1403 and building new courts elsewhere; but to execute any of these schemes a very large sum of money, amounting to nearly a 1,000,000l. sterling, would be required. He should have much pleasure in executing such a work if funds were provided; but at present there were no funds applicable to the purpose, and at present it was not the intention of Government to ask Parliament to provide them. He had heard that some increased accommodation was required for the Vice Chancellors, but no application had been made to him by the legal authorities; nor had he received any directions from the Treasury to provide such increased accommodation.