§ LORD JOHN MANNERSasked the First Commissioner of Works, When it is intended to remove the block of houses between Parliament Street and King Street, facing the New Home and Colonial Offices?
§ MR. AYRTONreplied that a portion of the block to which the noble Lord referred was now occupied by public offices, which were very much needed, and the rest was occupied by special arrangement; so that the whole block could be pulled down when the new Home and Colonial Offices were erected. The back part of the block had been already pulled down to admit of the work being carried on. No object would be gained by pulling down the rest at present, and the pulling of it down would only exhibit the scaffolding and the workmen engaged in the erection of the new buildings.
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSasked whether Parliament Street would be widened?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, that Question involved another important question—namely, whether the Treasury or the public were to give up part of the land which had been purchased at the public expense for the purpose of widening a street. There was no Act of Parliament which directed any part to be so applied; but it was competent to the Government to do what was necessary to have adequate approaches to the Home and Colonial Offices. Those approaches would probably be best made by retaining the land in front of the new offices.