§ MR. WAITasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the revised designs and plans prepared by Mr. Street for the New Courts of Justice have been received and approved; and, whether he anticipates being in a position to announce to the House before the close of 399 the Session that the contract has been signed and the building handed over to the architect?
§ MR. AYRTON,in reply, said, that the Treasury had approved of the contract being entered into to carry out the revised designs and plans proposed by Mr. Street for the New Courts of Justice; but he was not prepared to state the exact time when the contract would be signed. He was not able to fix the day when the building would be handed over to the contractor, and still less was he able to fix the day I when the Session would be brought to a close; so that he could not say whether he should be able to state before the close of the Session that the building had been handed over to the contractor. The best opinion, however, that he could form was that the contract would be signed in about a month from this day. It took a long time to complete a contract for very elaborate specifications.
§ MR. WAITsaid, he wished to know whether there would be any objection to place the plans and designs in the Library of the House?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, the subject would be brought again under the consideration of the House when the Estimate was moved; and, in the meantime, he would consider the suggestion of the hon. Member, with a view to see what could be done.