§ MR. WHITMORE (Chelsea)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether Her Majesty's Government has acquired from the London County Council the plot of ground on the north of Hemmings Row, the preservation of which as an open space the Architect of the New National Portrait Gallery has stated to be "vital to that scheme?"
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. PLUNKET,) University of DublinThe value of the vacant plot of ground at Hemmings Row, if let for building purposes, has been estimated at £7,000. The Government are willing to pay half that amount, £3,500, to the London County Council if the latter body will hand over to them the ground to be kept as an open space. Considering that such an open space would be not only of importance to the proposed National Portrait Gallery, but a great advantage to the Metropolis, I think the offer of the Government is a fair one.