§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, for what reason there are no workmen now at work on the ground near Henry VII.'s Chapel, completing the clearance already begun; and, whether the work can be vigorously pushed forward, the space turfed and fenced in, so that the public may have the earliest possible advantage of the vista of Chapel, Chapter House, and Abbey there newly opened out?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sWorkmen have been steadily at work breaking in and filling up the old cellars on the ground in question. This was necessary preliminary work. Before any conspicuous progress could be made it was necessary to obtain the consent of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster to certain proposed alterations. I am glad to be able to inform the House that, at a Chapter held on Monday last, consent was given to our 1338 pulling down the wall, the property of the Dean and Chapter, which now spoils the view of the Chapter House. The Dean and Chapter have also kindly agreed to the removal of the iron railing from the south of Henry VII.'s Chapel, for the purpose of placing it along the front of Palace Yard. This, I hope, will add very materially to the appearance of the space, which will be turfed and laid out as soon as the ground can be prepared for that purpose. The work will now be pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and every effort will be made to get this open space into perfect order before the summer months. ["Hear, hear!'']