§ MR. G. GREGORYsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the piling in the river Thames between the Charing Cross Railway and Westminster Bridges; and, whether he can state when it will be removed, or who is responsible for the continuance of it?
MR. BRIGHTI believe, Sir, that no Government Department has at present any power to deal with the obstruction. The piles to which the hon. Gentleman has referred are connected with the works of the Waterloo and Whitehall Railway, and the time permitted to that company has been extended to July, 1870. Until that time no one can legally interfere with the piles; but after that date it will be in the power of the Board of Trade and the Conservators of the Thames to take steps for their removal. I presume, therefore, that the matter must be left as it is at present.