§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEthen moved that the Order of the Day be read for considering the Message of the Queen respecting securing Marlborough-house to His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales.
§ The Order of the Day and the Royal Message were then read by the Clerk at the table.
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNE, in moving that an Address to the Crown in reply to this Message should be unanimously adopted, observed that it was only necessary for him to explain that the object of this arrangement was to secure in a suitable part of this metropolis a fitting residence at a future period for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. It might be asked, why it was necessary to secure such a residence at present? It had occurred to the Members of Her Majesty's Government, and the suggestion had met the approbation of Her Majesty herself, that it might be desirable to appropriate 485 Marlborough-house, which had become vacant by the unfortunate death of the late Queen Dowager, to the object of displaying the collection of pictures which, by the munificence of the late Mr. Vernon, had recently become the property of the country. There was a general desire that that collection should be placed in a situation where it could be seen with advantage, and it occurred to Her Majesty's Government that, until a national building could be provided for it, Marlborough-house might be appropriated for that purpose But, as that was not the ultimate object to which the Crown proposed to devote Marlborough-house, it became expedient to secure it by express provision for the future residence of the Prince of Wales. That was the main reason for making this arrangement; but economical considerations, which were of great importance at the present moment, were also in favour of it. All that their Lordships were now invited to do was to express their concurrence that a suitable residence should be provided for the Prince of Wales, and that Marlborough-house was not an unsuitable building for that purpose. The arrangement could not be effected by any other way more conducive to the dignity of the Prince of Wales and to those feelings of economy which at present prevailed so generally. He therefore moved—
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, to return Her Majesty the Thanks of this House for Her Majesty's Most Gracious Message expressive of Her Majesty's Desire that the House called Marlborough House should be secured to His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, after he shall have attained the Age of Eighteen Years, during the joint Lives of Her Majesty and His said Royal Highness, and to assure Her Majesty that this House will cheerfully concur in such Measures as may be necessary to carry Her Majesty's Most Gracious Intention into effect.
LORD BROUGHAMcommended the proposition of his noble Friend as a happy combination, in granting for a time the use of a palatial residence to the exhibition of a great, national collection of works of art, and in securing at the same time the building for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales when he should require an establishment. The arrangement was inexpensive, and deserved the term applied to it by his noble Friend of economical. The noble and learned Lord passed a high eulogy upon Mr. Vernon, to whose honour he should rejoice to see a public testimonial.
§ LORD REDESDALEexpressed his wish that Marlborough-house should be given to the Duchy of Cornwall, and should be kept in future as a residence for the Prince of Wales. If there was no Prince of Wales, it might remain in the care and possession of the Crown.
§ The same was agreed to, Nemine Dissentiente; and the said Address ordered to be presented to Her Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.
§ House adjourned to Thursday next.