§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Treasury has arrived at any determination as to the appointment of architect for the new Courts of Justice, and whether he will object to state that determination to the House?
§ MR. HUNTanswered, that the Treasury had not arrived at any determination at 418 present. The circumstances of the case were as follows:—The Act of Parliament directed that the plans should be determined upon by the Treasury with the advice and concurrence of the Commissioners. Before the change of Government the late Treasury thought that the best way of arriving at the concurrence of the Commissioners was to join with them in the appointment of a Committee of Judges of Design. The Commissioners accordingly appointed certain Members of that Committee of Judges and the Treasury appointed others. Shortly before the House adjourned for the Recess the Treasury received a communication from those gentlemen, stating that they had been unable to arrive at a decision that any one design was the best, and that they therefore had arrived at the conclusion that two gentlemen ought to be appointed to prepare a final plan jointly. The reply of the Treasury was to the effect that a communication of that kind was not such an award as the Treasury expected the Judges would have made, and the matter was referred back to them in the hope that they would agree upon some one architect. Only yesterday a further reply was received from the Judges of Design, stating that they adhered to their original recommendation. Under these circumstances, the Treasury proposed to do what the Act of Parliament laid down, and to seek the advice of the Commissioners. As soon as any course had been determined upon he should be most happy, if his hon. Friend would put a Question on the subject, to give him any further information in his power.