§ LORD ALGERNON PERCY (St. George's, Hanover Square)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Corporation of the City of London obtained powers under an Act of Parliament to acquire additional land adjoining the City of London Court, for the purpose of pulling down the existing Court and erecting a new one; whether the land required has long since been acquired; and, whether there is any prospect of the new Court being erected?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CHILDERS) (Edinburgh, S.)I have no authority over the Corporation of the City of London; but I am informed that they did obtain statutory power, and have acquired land as stated in the Question, for the purpose of erecting a new Court, and plans and estimates have been duly prepared. However, owing to the increase of business in the Court it has become desirable that there should be an enlargement of the site 1438 originally proposed; and the Corporation tell me that they have now under consideration the question of purchasing a large corner house which was not included in their powers of compulsory purchase. The delay has arisen owing to the modification of the plans which the extension of the site will necessitate.