§ 42. Mr. LESLIE SCOTTasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of his assurance that he fully appreciated the importance of releasing the engineering institutes at the earliest possible moment, and was making every effort to do so, he can now inform the House whether the earliest possible moment has yet arrived; if not, when it will; and what efforts he has been able to make towards that end?
§ Sir A. MONDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; as regards the Mechanical Engineers Institution, I am arranging a scheme for the gradual surrender of the accommodation so far as possible in accordance with the requirements of the institution. It is impossible at present to give a date for the release of the institutes, but I am in constant communication with the occupying Departments on the question of the reduction of their staffs, on which the date of vacation depends.