MR. LLOYD DAVIESsaid, he would beg to ask the Chief Commissioner of Public Works whether he intended to carry out the plan suggested by the Committee for opening the communication from St. James's Park to Waterloo Place; and whether the recommendation of the Committee that the Duke of York's monument should be removed had been fully considered by the Government?
§ MR. MACARTNEYsaid, he wished to add another question—namely, whether the attention of the Government had been, or would be, directed to the advantage of opening a carriage way from Queen Square through the present gates into the Birdcage Walk, in connection with the other improvements in St. James's Park?
§ SIR BENJAMIN HALLIn answer, Sir, to the first question, I beg to say that some day next week I shall state to the House how much of the recommendations of the Committee the Government proposes to carry out; and I will take care that the statement shall be made previously to the consideration of any Estimates that may be presented on the subject. Aware that much objection has 871 been offered to the suggested removal of the Duke of York's column, I measured the ground myself. I find that there are twenty-two feet on each side of the monument; so that in case the road is proceeded with, the column might remain, if such should be the pleasure of the House, and the road be constructed on either side. In reply to the second inquiry, I have to observe that the project of opening a carriage way from Queen's Square through the present gates into the Birdcage Walk is not a matter which ought to rest with the Government. It falls within the province of the Metropolitan Board of Works and the Westminster Commissioners, and, should either think fit to submit to me a plan for removing the houses at their own expense, I will take care it shall be attentively considered by the Government.