§ MR. CAVENDISH BENTINCKsaid, he rose to ask the First Commissioner of Works, What course Her Majesty's Government intend to pursue with reference to the new building for the National Gallery; whether a competition of architects has been invited, and who has been selected to compete; whether any definite period has been fixed for the exhibition of the competing designs, and who is to make the final award; whether any of the architects designated to compete for the new Courts of Justice have declined the proposed competition; by whom the Instructions in the form of a Blue Book, furnished to the competing architects, have been prepared; and, what date has been fixed for sending in the plans?
§ MR. COWPERsaid, in reply, that two of the architects invited to send in designs for the new Courts of Justice—namely, Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Hardwicke—had declined to do so, and two others had the invitation still under consideration. The specifications, which contained elaborate details, had been prepared by the architectural clerk of the Board of Works. The time fixed for sending in the designs was the end of October. With regard to the National Gallery, it was intended to receive designs from a limited number of architects, suggesting the best way in which the ground in the rear of the National Gallery might be disposed of, and also a plan showing how, if it were determined to demolish altogether the building in Trafalgar Square, another building might be erected more convenient for the purposes of a National Gallery, and more ornamental. There was no intention to abandon the designs of the late Captain Fowke for the new buildings at Kensington. Mr. Water-house had been engaged to act in Captain Fowke's behalf, and to superintend the erection of the building. With regard to the Law Courts, the arrangements were not yet in such a state as to give any information, but plenty of time would be given for consideration before any step was taken by the Government.