§ MR. G. B. GREGORY, in rising to call the attention of the House to the building of the New Law Courts, and to move — "That in the opinion of this House, such building should be proceeded with without further delay," said, he should not trouble the House at any length with this subject, for he hoped that the First Commissioner was substantially of the same opinion as himself, that he would accept the Motion, and was prepared, on behalf of the Government, to say that they would place on the Votes an Estimate for proceeding 1112 with the works. If that were so, it would be unnecessary for him to proceed with the Motion.
MR. ALDERMAN W. LAWRENCEsaid, it was of the utmost importance, now that the Government had fully resolved upon the site and were about to proceed to the erection of the buildings, that steps should be taken to have proper approaches made to the new Courts. A large amount of extra traffic would be concentrated round the new edifice, and it was the duty of the Government to provide proper accesses for the accommodation of that traffic. This had not yet been done; but he hoped they would soon be in possession of block plans of the Courts, which would enable them clearly to see where the new approaches ought to be formed. He urged that the metropolis had been unfairly treated in the matter of taxation, and care should be taken that further burdens should not be imposed upon it.
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, the hon. Member for Sussex (Mr. G. B. Gregory) lightly assumed that he was as anxious as he could be to see the building of the Now Courts of Law proceeded with at the earliest possible period. It was the intention of the Government to lay upon the Table of the House, either that evening or the next day, an Estimate for taking the preliminary steps, and what could be done between this and the meeting of Parliament next year. He thought, therefore, the House would be of opinion that it was not expedient to anticipate the discussion that would arise when that Estimate was considered in Committee. With regard to the remarks of the hon. Member for the City of London (Mr. Alderman Lawrence), he could only say that he had only undertaken to give effect to the Acts of Parliament already passed for the construction of the new Courts, and not to go beyond their provisions. The questions raised by the hon. Member were foreign to the legislation which had already taken place; but the hon. Gentleman and his constituents would set a good example by taking measures to remove the structure which public opinion did not sanction, either on account of its beauty or antiquity, and which was a serious obstruction between Fleet Street and the Strand. He hoped to be able to proceed with the Estimate on Monday, and a block plan was being printed, of 1113 which numerous copies would be found at the Vote Office to-morrow.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.