§ MR. D. FORTESCUEsaid, he would beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he is aware of the intended demolition of the ancient Church of Austin Friars in the City, the appropriation of one part of the site to an Ambassadorial Chapel, and the conversion of the remainder to purposes of profit; and whether he has no power to restrain the parties claiming the exercise of such rights from effecting the destruction of one of the finest remains of antiquity in the City?
MR. COWPER, in reply, said, he had no information upon the subject referred to. He should certainly sympathize with his hon. Friend in his regret at the possible demolition of so interesting a work of architecture as that of the Church of Austin Friars; but he had no authority or power to stop the proceeding to which his hon. Friend had alluded.