§ MR. EDWARD H. BAYLEY (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware, as has been stated at a recent public meeting, that much valuable public property is being destroyed at Millbank Prison in the shape of large blocks of stone and York landings which are thrown from considerable heights and broken to pieces, instead of being removed by skilled men and lowered by tackle with a view to being re-worked; and that old material is being sold privately and no proper account kept; and what steps he will take to investigate the matter?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE,) Bradford, CentralFive-sixths of the materials of Millbank Prison are being pulled down and sold by persons who are buying those parts of the building by auction. I understand that in many cases it is found cheaper to throw the blocks of stone down rather than to incur the expense of using tackle for lowering them, as the stones are almost unsaleable. Strict account is kept of all the material sold by the Office of Works, whether by auction or private contract.