MR. GORSTasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to an advertisement in "The Times," from the Guardians of the Westminster Union, proposing to let for building purposes certain lands formerly part of Wandsworth Common; whether the consent of the homage to the alienation of this part of the Common was not obtained for the special purpose of providing a site for a school for the poor children of Saint James Westminster; and, whether the Guardians of the Westminster Union can convert land thus acquired for a charitable object to the purpose of a building speculation?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTH, in reply, said, that it was only after a long correspondence with the Local Government Board that the Guardians of the Westminster Union had received sanction to lease for building purposes a portion of the ground which they possessed which was formerly part of Wandsworth Common. He had been informed by his hon. Friend, and by a Memorial sent to him, that the consent of the homage to the alienation of this part of the Common was obtained for the purpose of providing a site for a School for the poor children of St. James, Westminster; but there was no restriction in the document under which the property was conveyed to the Guardians. He had no knowledge of any right belonging to the Conservators which could not have been properly conveyed; but, if there were such rights, it must be presumed that the parties entitled to them would have their legal remedy.