§ MR. W. H. GREGORYsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he has intimated his intention of placing in the hands of his own Department all the works of the Palace of Westminster which have hitherto been under the supervision of an architect; and, if so, whether he will inform the House of the name of the gentleman connected with the Office of Works to whom these professional duties are to be entrusted?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, in reply, that the Question of the hon. Member was founded in some misconception. The arrangement to be made at the commencement of the present financial year would be that the Palace of Westminster would be placed in the same manner as the other palaces of Her Majesty in London, under the charge of Mr. Taylor, one of the assistant surveyors, whose office was not well described by the title, because it involved duties of considerable importance. The ordinary works were carried on under his immediate direction and guidance, and whenever any extraordinary works arose, they were executed by those whose peculiar capacity fitted 71 them for the performance. For example, an artist was employed for painting, a sculptor for sculpture, and an architect for architectural work. Under the new system, Mr. Taylor would perform his functions under the supervision of another officer recently established in the Board of Works, and called the Director of Public Works. Her Majesty's Government had selected a gentleman of well-known high position for this office— namely, Mr. Douglas Galton.