§ MR. W. H. SMITHasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If the Government would take the necessary steps to give effect to the recommendation of the Committee of last year on the Thames Embankment?
MR. GLADSTONEThe hon. Gentleman is probably aware that it is not in our power, by the authority of the Executive Government, to take any step of that character, because we are bound by law to obtain the full value of the property of the Crown; whereas, if I understand rightly the recommendation of the Committee, it is that a price or consideration ought to be given for it which, although I might not be justified in calling it nominal, is little more than nominal, or at any rate is entirely inadequate. It would, therefore, require an Act of Parliament; and we are not prepared to bring in an Act for the purpose of parting with the property of the Crown for a value altogether inadequate. If the hon. Member can point out to us any unobjectionable source from which we can obtain a proper value, we shall be ready to consider it.