HC Deb 08 July 1872 vol 212 cc854-6
MR. F. S. POWELL

said, that he must complain that the First Commissioner of Works had departed from usage in altering the lighting and ventilation of the House without authority from Committees, which had hitherto regulated these matters. The new arrangement would be prejudicial to the health of Members, especially during the winter months.

MR. AYRTON

said, he had not introduced gas into the library, but as the burners already there did. Not afford sufficient light, they had been placed in a better position and supplied with globes. Similar arrangements in the newspaper-room had been approved. No doubt there was a prejudice against gas, as there used to be against coal fires; but he had merely utilized the gas burning in the House.

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH

said, he thought the complaint which had been made might have been met with more consideration by the right hon. Gentleman.

LORD CLAUD HAMILTON

expressed dissatisfaction with the alteration made in the lighting of the Library.

First Four Resolutions agreed to.

Fifth Resolution read a second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

MR. RYLANDS

said, that on a former occasion the then Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Stansfeld) stated that no money would be asked for rebuilding the Em- bassy House at Constantinople until the Estimates had been laid on the Table. The old house that was burnt down cost £200,000, and a good opportunity presented itself for the Committee to consider whether it was desirable to rebuild an establishment of such an expensive character. He therefore asked for the postponement of the Vote in order to take the opinion of the Committee upon the subject.

Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "the further Consideration of the said Resolution be postponed,"—(Mr. Rylands,)—instead thereof.

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question."

MR. AYRTON

said, no advantage would be gained by the postponement of the Vote. Last year the Vote was not questioned, and, of course, the Office of Works proceeded to carry out what the Committee had sanctioned. After the fire, inquiries were made by two different competent persons sent specially to Constantinople for the purpose, at different times; but they both agreed as to the cost of restoring the building, and that being so the Government on receiving the second report determined to restore the Embassy, that being the most economical course to pursue, and accordingly a small sum was taken for that purpose in last year's Estimates. It was now proposed to sell these properties and begin again; but that policy had not always proved successful. He must say, however, that such a policy had not been submitted to him. His duty was to see that the works were carried out properly and economically.

MR. RYLANDS

asked whether the Government had entered into a contract for this building?

MR. AYRTON

said, the works had been commenced, but they were not being done under a single contract. The expenditure would be kept within the estimated sum.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Sixth Resolution agreed to.

The Seventh Resolution being read a second time,

MR. STOPFORD-SACKVILLE moved to reduce the Vote by £794 2s., as it was obviously a mistake.

Amendment proposed, to leave out "£251,472," in order to insert "£250,677 18s.,"—(Mr. Stopford-Sackville,)—instead thereof.

VISCOUNT ENFIELD

said, the hon. Gentleman was quite right in calling attention to this Vote, in respect to which a mistake had been committed.

Question, "That '£251,472' stand part of the Resolution," put, and negatived.

£250,677 18s. inserted.

Resolution, as amended, agreed to.

Subsequent Resolutions agreed to.