§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand,405 Westminster) said, he might be permitted to offer a word in explanation of some observations which had fallen from him on a previous occasion in regard to the Westminster Abbey Bill. It was supposed that he had referred to the position of Mr. Christian, the architect of the Ecclesiastical Commission. The work at Westminster Abbey would be carried on primarily under the direction of Mr. Pearson, the well-known architect, than whom a more able and competent person probably could not be found. But Mr. Christian would represent the Ecclesiastical Commissioners as the body through whom the money necessary for the repair and restoration would be advanced. The work would be strictly in the nature of repairs, and not of alterations.