§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. PLUNKET,) Dublin UniversityI beg to move the Second Reading of this Bill, the object of which is to make available for the purpose of the National Gallery the piece of ground now lying vacant next to the National Gallery, and facing St. Martin's Church and the Charing Cross Road. By the National Gallery Extension Acts of 1865 and 1866, a piece of ground, of which the vacant piece forms a portion, was dedicated to the National Gallery or to such other purposes of general utility as might be approved by Parliament. Therefore the sanction of Parliament has to be obtained. Since 1248 the Acts passed, the National Gallery has been extended, and in case further extension become necessary space will be found in the barrack yard lying behind. Therefore, the trustees of the National Gallery are perfectly satisfied that the vacant land should be occupied, and the trustees of the National Portrait Gallery think that the proposed site for their building leaves nothing to be desired. I beg to move the Second Reading of the Bill.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for to-morrow.