§ LORD ERNEST BRUCEasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether it is true that the recent alterations in the drive across St. James's Park have cost the Country £1,500; whether all that has been done is the erection of about ten gas lamps, the repairing the existing road, the pulling down of a double pair of iron gates, the substitution of a couple of rough wooden bars, and the removal of a sentry box from one spot to another; and, if he will have any objection to lay before this House a full account of the manner in which this money has been spent; and, whether the Treasury have entirely approved of the above charge?
§ MR. AYRTON, in reply, said, this Question probably referred to the construction of a new road from the steps at the foot of the Duke of York's Column to Storey's Gate. That work embraced various items, and if the noble Lord desired to have all the details, and would be good enough to move that the tradesmen's bills should be laid upon the Table, he had no objection to the proposal, and the noble Lord would obtain every information. This kind of expenditure was carried on under a system which met the approval of the Treasury, and which he had no power to alter. As to the particular amount expended, of course the Treasury did not express any opinion respecting the details; but, inasmuch as this work was executed in accordance with the wishes generally entertained by the House, the Treasury gave the requisite official sanction for the work, which cost not £1,500, but £1,300.