§ VISCOUNT RAYNHAMsaid, he would beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as Smithfield could not again be converted into a cattle-market, there was any objection to the immediate removal of all the pens and barriers remaining there, so as to enable it to become a place of recreation for the inhabitants of that crowded locality?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that no doubt Smithfield was in its present state very unsightly, and also somewhat inconvenient. There were difficulties, however, which existed as to the ownership of the site; and it was impossible, under any circumstances, to appropriate it without an Act of Parliament. If the railings were now to be removed, there would be a large open space left, which it would be difficult to keep in proper order.