§ MR. R. WALLACE (Edinburgh, E.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works what is the cause of the delay in the completion of the extension of the General Post Office, Edinburgh; if he is aware that for months there has been practically nothing done in advancing the work; whether the contractor or the Board of Works is responsible for the delay; if he is aware that the Post Office work is now, and has been for a considerable time, carried on under much inconvenience, both for want of room and owing to these alterations; and if he will direct that the works be completed without further delay?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE,) Bradford, CentralThere has been no delay in pressing on this work, either on the part of the contractors or on that of the Office of Works. On the contrary, measures have been taken for some time past to proceed with the matter as rapidly as possible. During the last four mouths the number of workmen employed on the contract for the building itself has averaged 26 per week, and contracts for fittings and internal painting have been simultaneously in progress. I am in- 655 formed that a portion of the building will be ready for occupation in a few days.