§ MR. BROADHURSTasked the Junior Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is true that the redecoration of Her Majesty's private suite of rooms at Windsor Castle was let on contract last year to a Mr. Cooper of Windsor; whether it is true that the contractor then relet the loose gilt portion by sub-contract, at the lowest possible price, to a cheap shop in Soho (London), and that on the work being taken to its place for fixture, the Inspector of Palaces severely condemned it as a disgraceful work, only permitting it to be fixed on account of the immediate return of Her Majesty, and, on condition, that it was taken down and re-gilt; and, whether he will see that in the letting of future contracts, guarantees shall be demanded that the work be properly and efficiently done by competent skilled labour, and not hawked about the poorest neighbourhoods of London in search of the cheapest and most inefficient labour?
§ MR. HERBERT GLADSTONE,in reply, said, he regretted he was unable to give any information on the subject. It was not a matter for which the Treasury had any responsibility.
§ MR. BROADHURSTgave Notice that, on going into Committee of Supply on the Vote for the Lord Chamberlain's Office, he would call attention to the matter.