§ MR. R. H. PAGETasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether with reference to the Report of the Select Committee on Westminster Hall Restoration, and in view of the indefinite recommendation of the Committee that they
Suggest for consideration, that the wall of the two storied building should be somewhat lowered, and that a plain coping should be substituted for the battlemented parapet,he will be good enough to have elevations prepared, showing accurately the proposed treatment of the west front of Westminster Hall, and its general effect in combination with the existing buildings of the Houses of Parliament; whether he will further direct plans and sections to be prepared, showing the proposed Committee Rooms to be constructed, with an explanatory memorandum, setting forth the means of access to such Committee Rooms, the provisions for their lighting, warming, and ventilation, and the uses to which it is proposed to devote them; and, whether he will afford ample opportunity for consideration of such plans, sections, and elevations and memorandum before presenting to the House any vote for carrying out the recommendations of the Committee?
§ MR. HERBERT GLADSTONE(who replied) said: Mr. Pearson has reported that the models on the side of Westminster Hall, being only of canvas, are already in such a state that it is necessary to remove them without delay; and the Department cannot go to the expense of erecting further models to show the exact elevations. But the Appendix to the Evidence of the Committee will contain a drawing by Mr. Pearson showing the modifications which he proposes to make to meet the views of the Committee. The evidence and plans laid before the Committee will supply all the information required as to the rooms in the gallery proposed to be erected under the buttresses. These rooms are not intended as Committee Rooms for the use of the House; but will be available for conference or deputation rooms, or for such other purposes as may be ultimately found desirable.
§ In reply to Mr. R. H. PAGET and Mr. MITCHELL HENRY,
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVREsaid, that an alternative design had been laid before the Committee by Mr. Pearson as to the restoration of Westminster Hall, and was now under consideration.