HC Deb 16 February 1883 vol 276 c170
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether, before demolishing the old Law Courts, he has considered the means of supplying the additional accommodation likely to be required by this House for Standing or other Committees in the event of the success of the present partial experiment; and, with what object the demolition is now being hastily carried out the very moment the Courts are vacated?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

I considered the subject referred to by my hon. Friend before giving orders for the demolition of the old Law Courts, and I came to the conclusion that these buildings would not be necessary or convenient for the purpose of Grand Committees of this House. I have provided two rooms for Grand Committees under the roof of this building, and as it is most improbable that the Grand Committees will sit more than two days a week, these two rooms will accommodate four Committees; that seemed to me a power of extension quite equal to any future demands which are likely to be made. I may add that in the discussion on the Estimates last year it appeared to be the general wish of the House that the old Law Courts should be removed, and I thought I was acting in accordance with this wish in commencing the work of demolition as soon as possible.