§ SIR CHARLES LEGARDasked the First Commissioner of Works, If he proposes that the road from Piccadilly across the Green Park to Grosvenor Place, the Plan of which was placed before Parliament last Session, shall be soon commenced?
LORD HENRY LENNOXIn answer to the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough, I am here to admit, with great regret, that I do not see my way to carrying out the scheme of a road across the Green Park which was laid down on the model exhibited in the Conference Room during last Session. The model and the gradients marked on it were perfectly correct; but at the close of the Session I received communications from gentlemen of great experience, pointing out several serious drawbacks to the scheme which, I must confess, had up to that time escaped my notice. After going over the ground again, I felt there was so much force in some of these criticisms that I thought it better not to proceed with the work at that time. I have nothing further to add, Sir, but to express a hope that the House may be of opinion that, in the interests of the public service, it was better that I should stand here and with great regret confess to an administrative disappointment rather than that I should have forced on the carrying out of my scheme, to which some serious objections had been rightly and justly urged.