§ CAPTAIN DAWSON-DAMERsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Commissioner of Works, Whether he is aware that measures are now in progress to let for building purposes the enclosure of Leicester Square; and, if so, if he is prepared to take any steps to preserve that open space in the centre of London for the benefit of the public?
§ MR. AYRTONreplied, that he had not been able to ascertain whether any person claiming to be the owner of Leicester Square proposed to let it on a building lease. If such were the case, he could only interfere by means of a Private Bill, which, according to the Standing Orders, he would be precluded from introducing during the present Session. Besides, it would be a dangerous 626 thing if, when a local authority neglected its duty, the First Commissioner of Works were to come forward to undertake it, as the result would be to throw on the Treasury an expense which ought to be paid out of the local funds. If the statement in question were correct, it was only a practical illustration of the necessity for a reform of the local government of the metropolis. He had endeavoured to press this subject on the attention of the House by more than one Report from the Select Committee over which he had presided, and he hoped his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department would be able next Session to deal with this very important question.