HC Deb 29 April 1896 vol 40 cc151-3

Considered in Committee—(Progress 28th April.)

[Mr. GRANT LAWSON in the Chair.]

Question again proposed:— That it is expedient to authorise the payment, out of moneys to be provided by Parliament, or any expenses incurred by the Commissioners of Works under the provisions of any Act of the present Session for the acquisition of a Site for Public Offices in Westminster, and for purposes connected therewith."— (Mr. Hanbury.)

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs) moved that Progress be reported.

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine's

said, that questions put by the hon. Member had been answered. This was a money Resolution necessary to enable a clause to be inserted in the Site Bill which was passed last week. The money for the acquisition of this site was voted in the Bill of last year. The Bill of this Session simply contained the Lands Clauses provisions incidental to the acquirement of the property. He was anxious that this matter should be allowed to proceed, because, as the House was aware, it was the habit of people, when they knew land was to be bought out of public funds, to put a few bricks on it and then ask the country to pay the cost. The Bill would be sent to a Hybrid Committee.

* SIR HENRY FOWLER

said, that as a matter of fairness to the Government, he was bound to state that this Resolution was incidental to the policy which had been adopted by the last Government. Delay would in no way interfere with the carrying out of an improvement to which the House was already committed, but the result of delay might be considerably to increase the cost of it.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

said, he objected on general principles to an important matter of this kind being passed by the House at half-past 5 o'clock on a Wednesday. The questions he had put did not exhaust the objections he had to the business.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.

MR. Ashton and Mr. Disraeli were nominated Members of the Select Committee on the Public Offices (Sites) Bill, with Two Members to be added by the Committee of Selection.—(Sir William Walrond.)

On the name of Mr. Akers-Douglas,

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

said, he objected to the proposed composition of the Committee; it ought to be a much larger one; and therefore he should move that the Debate be adjourned.

* MR. SPEAKER

said, that if the hon. Member objected the Question would stand over.

Further proceeding on nomination of the Select Committee stood adjourned till To-morrow.