§ MR. EWDIN JAMESsaid, he would beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he can state to the House the sum paid by the Metropolitan Board of Works for the site of Berkeley-house, upon which that Board is erecting a building for their own use; and what sum is to be expended by the said Board in the construction of such building?
MR. COWPERsaid, that the Board had purchased the expiring lease for the sum of £500, and had sold the old materials for £799. They held under a lease of ninety-nine years at a rent of £500 a year for the first ten, and £350 for the remainder of the term, and the amount they had contracted to expend in the erection of the building, including extras, was £16,000.
§ SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBYsaid, he desired to know whether the right hon. Gentleman exercised any control over the Board?
MR. COWPERstated that it was only through the courtesy of the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board of Works that he was enabled to give the reply he had done to the question of the hon. and learned Member for Marylebone. He had no authority to interfere with their proceedings.