§ MR. FIRTHasked the First Commissioner of Works, When the New Courts of Justice will be ready for occupation; and when the clock outside the Courts will be in its place?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVRESir, I have every reason to believe that the New Courts of Justice will be entirely complete and ready for occupation by the Judges by Easter, 1882, and that by that time a clock will also be in its place in the tower.
§ MR. CHARLES M'LARENasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he is aware that for more than a year the clock on the tower of the Royal Courts of Justice has been without hands, and that, owing to the peculiar construction of the face of the clock, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to see the hands if any should be placed there; and whether, before giving the clock hands, he will provide it with a more suitable face?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVRESir, my hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that there is a clock on the tower of the New Courts of Justice. There is the face of the clock, but there are no works, and naturally there are no hands. A clock, however, will be placed there during the present year; and as the face of the clock is of glass there will be no difficulty in making the hands visible both by day and by night.