§ MR. EDWIN JAMESsaid, he would beg to ask the noble Viscount at the head of the Government Whether, considering the very important matters now pressing upon the attention of the Board of Works, it would be convenient for the Government to fill up the office of First Commissioner of Works, vacant by the death of Mr. FitzRoy, without delay.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTON—Sir, it is the intention of the Government to fill up the appointment, and I trust to be able to do so very soon. In the meantime, if there are any matters of pressing importance to be disposed of, I apprehend the ex officio Commissioners ought, for purpose of that sort, to be competent to act; but I have not heard that there are any such matters to be attended to, or that any inconvenience has been caused by the temporary vacancy in the office.