§ MR. LOCKE KINGsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, What amount has been expended in the embellishments of the Crypt of Saint Stephen's; when that expenditure commenced; by whose order it was undertaken; and out of what fund the cost has been paid; and, if ever the Crypt is completed, to what use it is to be appropriated?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, in reply, that £1,953 had been expended for embel- 745 lishments and fittings, the cost of the embellishments having been about £830. The expenditure on the crypt commenced in 1854, Tinder the authority of a Vote of that House, the works being authorized by his two predecessors, the right hon. Member for South Hants (Mr. Cowper) and the noble Lord the Member for South Leicestershire (Lord John Manners). Both the crypt and the baptistry were complete, and were ready for the use of Members if required. It was not for him to determine to what use they were to be placed; but he believed it was intended, when the repairs were begun, that the crypt should be used as a place of worship for the numerous residents in the building.