MR. W. G. C. BENTINCK (Penrhyn and Falmouth)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if his attention has been called to a triangular piece of building ground, now the property of the London County Council, which if built upon will shut out the view of the principal frontage of the new National Portrait Gallery facing Charing Cross Road; and whether he will endeavour to acquire this vacant piece of building land from the London County Council and convert it into an open space?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. PLUNKET,) University of535 Dublin I agree with my right hon. Friend as to the desirability of keeping open the triangular piece of ground referred to in his question; and I should hope that the County Council of London will not suffer the fine effects produced by the formation of the Charing Cross Road to be marred by the erection of buildings upon the vacant space, especially as the façade of the new National Portrait Gallery on that side will, I trust, if left fully open to view, add a handsome feature to the great improvement they, or rather their predecessors, have made.