§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government will take such action as may be necessary to annul all the leases granted by the Metropolitan Board of Works, which, according to the evidence taken before the Royal Commission, have been obtained by bribing the officials, or giving colourable employment to members of the Board?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The Royal Commission referred to is still sitting; and without expressing any opinion on the proposal of the hon. Member, I think it would be premature and unadvisable for the Government to take any steps with regard to the 1783 evidence given before the Commissioners till they have reported.