§ MR. WALDEGRAVE-LESLIEsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether there is any intention of causing the inclosure in Leicester Square to be turned into a garden or ornamental ground, under the provisions of the Gardens in Towns Protection Act, 1863? He also wished to know, whether the equestrian statue within the inclosure is one of the public statues committed to the hon. Gentleman's care under another Act of Parliament?
§ MR. COWPER, in reply, said, the Act of 1863 imposed no duties whatever upon himself or upon the office he held; but as regarded Leicester Square, the Metropolitan Board of Works had power to execute the provisions of the Act. His hon. Friend doubtless knew that he (Mr. Cowper) had no control over that body, and he was not responsible for their proceedings. He was, however, happy to furnish his hon. Friend with what information he possessed on the subject, and he could state that the Metropolitan Board had put up a notice in Leicester Square in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and that had been followed by legal proceedings being instituted against, the Board. Those proceedings were instituted by the gentleman who claimed possession of the soil of Leicester Square, and probably the case would be decided shortly. With regard to the statue, which had only one leg and one arm, it was not under his (Mr. Cowper's) jurisdiction. It was private property, and it seemed that the person to whom it belonged had not taken that decent care of it which he ought to have done.