HC Deb 12 August 1871 vol 208 cc1523-4
MR. BERESFORD HOPE

said, that he had been informed by Mr. Speaker, since he had come into the House, that his Notice of Motion relative to the new road in the Park was, without being irregular in itself, out of Order at that sitting, as the Estimate to which it indirectly referred was down upon the day's Notices. Of course, therefore, he should not bring forward his Motion with regard to the excessive expenditure incurred in making the thoroughfare between St. James's Palace and Storey's Gate. It was a less disappointment to him to have to withdraw it; as, in fact, the substance of what he would say was embodied in his Notice on the Paper. He would only now ask the House substantially to ratify, as it undoubtedly would have formally done had he gone on, the disapprobation and astonishment which the superior department of the Treasury had expressed at the eccentric and inconceivable act of insubordination perpetrated by its dependent official, the First Commissioner of Works, with regard to this new road in St. James's Park. It was his intention next Session to take the opportunity of calling the attention of the House to the position in the administrative hierarchy of the Office of Works, and to the manner in which the right hon. Gentleman who now filled the office of Chief Commissioner discharged his duties.

MR. AYRTON

said, he was surprised that the hon. Member, when told that he could not bring forward his Motion, had indulged in such remarks; but there was, perhaps, nothing more remarkable than the mistakes which men fell into when they were carried away by feelings of personal hostility, increased by a sense of humiliation and defeat. No other man in the House would have done what the hon. Member had just done, and he had reason to know that those who took an interest in this question were ready and happy to disclaim all participation in what the hon. Gentleman had proposed to do by his Motion. He attached so little weight to what the hon. Member said, that he did not think it necessary to give the explanation he could give of the matter which was the subject of his Motion.

MR. NEVILLE-GRENVILLE

said, he thought the hon. Member did not deserve the castigation he had received from the Commissioner.