§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government are proposing to remove the county court from St. George's Hall, Stonehouse, to Plymouth; whether he>s aware that St. George's Hall is the most convenient position for the commercial and legal communities of the three towns, Devonport, Stonehouse, and Plymouth; and whether he will state to the House exactly what are the intentions of the Government in the matter?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe lease of the county court building at Stonehouse is about to expire, and the offices will be removed to Plymouth, where county court sittings are already held. The new arrangement will be more convenient for Plymouth, which is far the largest of the three towns, as well as for the towns on the western bank of the Tamar, though in some respects less convenient for Stonehouse, which is the smallest. As regards Devonport there is little, if any, difference.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre we to understand from his answer that Plymouth is a more convenient place for Devonport than Devonport would be for Plymouth?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes; I am informed much more convenient.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHas he received an offer of the renewal of the lease on the same terms at Stonehouse?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo; I have not received that offer, but I have; received a very considerable number of communications from the places the names of which I have just now mentioned to the effect that the proposal is infinitely more convenient to those districts.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIf the right hon. Gentleman is approached from Devonport, will he consider the question of convenience to Devonport as well as the convenience to Plymouth?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have endeavoured to show the hon. Member that as far as I am concerned, I have tried to consult the convenience of both parties, and, Plymouth being the larger and most convenient, has received the most consideration.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is a matter for discussion in Supply.