§ MR. C. A. WHITMORE (Chelsea)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will consider the advisability of acquiring and then pulling down No. 5, Old Palace Yard, so that its site may be added to the new open space by the Chapter House, and that the view of the south-east end of the Abbey may be further extended?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sThis point was considered when the late Government decided upon the clearance which has been carried out. It seems to have been thought that, in view of the great cost, it would not be advisable to acquire any property south of 4, Old Palace Yard. 166 There is, however, no doubt that the removal of No. 5 would greatly add to the improvement effected at Poets' Corner. If my hon. Friend can use his influence with the owner of that house— (laughter)—who is, I understand, much interested in London improvements— ["Hear, hear!"]—to induce him to meet the Government with the same generosity as that displayed by the owners of the other houses now removed, I will at once approach my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a view to finding the necessary ways and means to acquire the property and to add it to the open space now existing. [Laughter and cheers.]