HC Deb 06 July 1882 vol 271 cc1606-7
SIR HARRY VERNEY

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the Royal Institute of British Architects have proposed a plan for the improvement of Hyde Park Corner, without removing the Wellington Arch, and whether an opportunity will be given to the House to discuss it; and, if he would cause a plan showing the proposal of the Architects' Institute to be printed and circulated for the use of Members?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

Sir, I received a deputation a few days ago from the Institute of Architects, who recommended to me an alternative plan for dealing with the Hyde Park Corner difficulty. They told me that the plan was not approved by the Council of their Society as a whole. The plan itself was not in its main features a new one, and I had carefully considered others, presenting the same features, before submitting the scheme which is now before the House. I pointed out to the deputation the serious objections to their plan, and I believe I convinced the majority of them that it was not a solution of the difficulty. They have since presented to me another plan; but this also is open to other and even more serious objections. As I cannot be responsible for either of these plans, and as there is no prospect of their obtaining the necessary consents in other quarters, I do not think it worth while to circulate them among hon. Members.