HC Deb 24 February 1899 vol 67 cc570-2

"3. £5,000, Supplementary, Royal Palaces and Marlborough House."

DR. CLARK

Is this sum of £5,000 asked for merely in order that Kensington Palace may be opened earlier to the public as a show place like-Hampton Court or Kew?

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

The object of the Vote is to pay for completing the work on Kensington Palace at an earlier date, as the contractors have got on with it quicker than was at one time expected. Further, to restore the Denmark wing, a part of the building which was not included in the original Estimate, and which was found to be in a very bad state of repair. In fact it was absolutely dangerous, and this further sum is required to make it in a proper condition. It is hoped that the whole of the building will be completed by the beginning of May, when it will be open to the public. I may add that a large number of pictures from other palaces, connected with the former occupation of Kensington and that period, will be displayed in the principal apartments of the palace.

MR. LOUGH

Will the palace be open from the gardens?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS

Yes, it will be opened from the gardens.

Vote agreed to.

"4. £2,000, Supplementary, Miscellaneous Legal Buildings, Great Britain."

Vote agreed to.

"5. £17,100 Supplementary, Diplomatic and Consular Buildings."

DR. CLARK

I wish to ask why there is such a very great increase in this Vote—£65,000 last year and £17,100 this year. Is it intended to buy other premises or to erect new buildings?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS

It is proposed to purchase the Legation at Athens. Hitherto we paid a rent for the Legation, but the lease has nearly run out, and the cheapest and best arrangement is to purchase.

*MR. WEIR

Does this sum of £500 cover the whole cost of the electric light installation in the Embassy House at Rome, or shall we have in a year hence another Vote for this purpose?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS

So far as the Embassy at Rome is concerned it will be the whole cost.

*MR. WEIR

And will it light the whole of the premises?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS

I do not guarantee that it will light the building from garret to cellars, but it will sufficiently light the Embassy.

*MR. WEIR

Well, I was only anxious for information.

Vote agreed to.

"6. £926, Supplementary, Harbours in the United Kingdom and Lighthouses Abroad under the Board of Trade."

Vote agreed to.

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