MR. BENTINCKsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Royal Commission for the building of the New Courts of Justice have appointed a Committee to examine all the questions of measurement and cost; and, if so, whether the Bill for acquiring the New Site on the Thames Embankment will be delayed until the Committee has reported; and, whether the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn have renewed their offer made in 1860 to provide Courts for the Equity Judges within the precincts of their Inn, and upon what terms?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIt is true, Sir, the Royal Commission have appointed a Committee. I cannot state the exact terms of the reference, but in substance it is that the Committee shall inquire into the measurements of Mr. Street's plan, and also into those of the plan circulated among the Members of the House by the Incorporated Law Society, and so severely called in question by Mr. Street. It is not necessary that the progress of any measure through Parliament should be delayed on account of the appointment of that Committee. I cannot say that the Society of Lincoln's Inn has made a formal offer of the kind referred to; but something to that effect was stated by Lord Justice Selwyn to the Commissioners the other day, and no doubt he only said what he had a right to say. From what his Lordship said, it appeared that the Society were willing to renew the proposal if they thought it was likely to be accepted.