§ MR. W. M. TORRENSasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether any steps are about being taken further to secure from the danger of fire the Abbey and Palace of Westminster, by the removal of houses in close proximity to those edifices?
LORD HENRY LENNOXIt is true, Sir, that the houses alluded to by the hon. Member for Finsbury—namely, those in Abingdon Street and Poet's Corner—were condemned by the Report of a Royal Commission which sat some eight years ago. Their removal, however, as far as I can ascertain, was not advocated from any fear of danger to the Houses of Parliament from tire, and the Government have no intention at the present time of pulling down those houses. I may mention to the hon. Member that while the houses at Poet's Corner are not within 200 feet, there are houses only 90 feet from the Victoria Tower. I may however, tell the hon. Member that I have now under consideration the question of a general fire service with a constant supply of water and under adequate pressure, which would command all the public buildings in the vicinity of Westminster. This service would be in connection with the water supply in St. James's Park, the Serpentine, and Kensington Gardens. The safety of Westminster Abbey, as the hon. Member probably knows, does not rest with my Department, and I fancy it is to the Dean and Chapter the hon. Member should address himself as to the measures which have been taken for the protection of the Abbey.