The Marquess of Normanbysaid, he observed that a Bill had been introduced into the other House for the better Regulation of new Buildings. That Bill was entirely confined to the metropolitan districts, to which he believed it to be less applicable than to other crowded cities and towns; and he thought the restricting it to the metropolis would increase the evil, because those speculators who should desire to run up buildings in contravention of prospective enactments would be warned by the Bill of what they might do, and what if the Bill were extended to other towns, they would he precluded from doing. He thought a little effort on the part of the Government might make the Bill applicable to other parts. If the Government wished to remedy the great evil that existed in the metropolis they would proceed with a Drainage Bill. There was one part of the Bill which would be of great use both in the metropolis and elsewhere, namely, the prohibition—except under certain regulations—against living in cellars, but this was still more wanted in other parts of the country. He wished, therefore, to ask whether it was not possible to extend the provisions of the Bill to other towns?—and he would put another question, upon which, if his noble Friend was not at present prepared to answer him, he would probably give him the information he desired at a future time. It would be in the recollection of their Lordships, that works had been undertaken for the construction of a park, called Victoria Park, which would tend to promote the health and comfort of those classes of the residents in the metropolis who were in a great measure shut out from the reach of those outlets for free air which were situate at the west end of the 845 town. He wished to know what progress had been made in the Victoria Park, and why the progress of the works had been, if they were, suspended?
The Duke of Buccleuchsaid, he was not prepared at present to answer the last question put by the noble Marquess, but he would inform himself upon the subject. With regard to the Metropolitan Buildings Bill, it had been under consideration since 1841, and it had not been found since then that the number of houses run up, with a view to avoid prospective enactments, was so great as to create any very considerable evil. With regard to the principal towns, there were in some of them local Acts to regulate Buildings, and it would require great care to frame any measure which would affect them. It was desired that the present Bill should pass as it was, and when its true meaning and intention were understood, it would be in the power of the municipalities in large towns to consider whether its enactments were applicable to their districts. He was not disposed at present to recommend the extension of the Measure, because there was a prospect next Session of introducing a really effective measure, and that would occasion small expense to the country.
The Marquess of Normanbyput it to the Government whether it would not be desirable to extend the provisions of that part of the Bill which referred to cellars now actually occupied to the suburbs of the metropolis, and other parts of the country. The parties occupying them were charged enormous rents, which they were obliged to pay, in order that they might reside in the district where their occupation called them.
The Marquess of Salisburyadmitted the evil of having persons huddled together, but did not think the suggestion of the noble Marquess would diminish the expense to those parties, as they would have to pay still higher rents for new abodes.