HC Deb 11 April 1866 vol 182 cc1113-4

Order for Committee read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Deputy Speaker do now leave the Chair."

SUPPLY considered in Committee—CIVIL SERVICE ESTIMATES.

(In the Committee.)

£660,000, New Courts of Justice.

MR. CHILDERS

said, he begged to move a Vote of £660,000 for the purchase of a site and for other expenses in con nection with the new Courts of Justice. During the last Session an Act was passed providing for the erection of the new Courts of Justice. The expense was met by taking £1,000,000 from one of the great Chancery accumulated funds, by an appropriation of £200,000 as the value of the present Courts at Westminster, and by the imposition of a Rent of Courts Fee on suitors. It was provided that the expense in the first instance should be paid out of the Votes, and that the Exchequer should be recompensed out of the different funds. Accordingly, last year a Vote of £700,000 was taken for the purchase of the site. Owing to a difficulty in obtaining the site most of that money was not expended, and the Government now applied to the House to re-vote the amount not drawn.

MR. BERESFORD HOPE

said, he trusted that care would be taken to secure the best architectural talent of the country, in accordance with the proposal made by the hon. Member for Whitehaven (Mr. Bentinck).

MR. COWPER

said, that since that proposal had been made the Courts of Justice Commission, who had originally considered the question of architectural competition, had held no meeting, and consequently he was unable to give his hon. Friend any information upon the subject. In a few days, however, a meeting would be held, and the proposal would receive due consideration.

Vote agreed to.

House resumed.

Resolution to be reported To-morrow;

Committee to sit again upon Friday.