LORD DENMAN,in pursuance of a Notice given for August 19, 1867, and repeated for this day, rose—
To call Attention to the Uncertainty which prevails as to the Adoption of any plan for the new Courts of Justice which can be in accordance with the intention of the Act Courts of Justice 'Concentration Site,' (28 & 29 Vict., c. 49, s. 19), and with the opinions expressed in this House on the third reading of that Bill on the 8th of May, 1865.The noble Lord, referring their Lordships to that debate in which a strong opinion was expressed that Parliament should know beforehand what would be the probable cost of clearing the site and of completing the proposed building, reminded the House that large Votes, amounting to £1,500,000, had been dedicated to that purpose. In one year £700,000 had been advanced for it, and £660,000 in another, leaving only £140,000 remaining for the completion of the buildings, and the purchase of the site and approaches; and he reminded the House that by abandoning the old Courts of "Westminster Hall and Guildhall, the country would be deprived of two of the best spaces for parties waiting to attend to causes that could possibly exist— 106 that the services of West End jurors for causes arising in Westminster would be lost where they would be most useful, and that consultation-rooms for counsel and waiting-rooms could easily be added to remedy present inconveniences at Westminster; while at Guildhall—so convenient from merchants, stockbrokers, brokers, and seafaring men being near to it—every facility existed for access to documents, to counting-houses, warehouses, and to ships in the river; and a different class of cases could more satisfactorily be tried than they could be near Carey Street. Some additional Courts—such as a Court of Probate, and two or three or more Equity Courts—might easily be built on the Carey Street site, as well as in a plain inexpensive style, all the offices still required for the Courts of Law and Equity. And the Court of Exchequer at Westminster, and the Rolls Court near Chancery Lane were mentioned as models in the instructions to the architects for their plans. In case a return to Westminster Hall and Guildhall were agreed to, it would not be needful to purchase extra space at an enormous cost, as would now be requisite should Parliament agree to the outlay. One bookseller alone had received £10,000 for going across from one side of a street to another; and, if he were required—as seemed probable—to move again, another £10,000 would be demanded by one individual. If, on the other hand, the whole space were sold, and a sufficient space retained for all that was really needed, a large sum would be saved, and model dwelling-houses might be built for those who had been deprived of their residences, and large rents received for them. Instead of a previous Estimate being laid before Parliament, as had at first been earned in this House, a certificate, relied upon to declare the truth. had been given that the expense of the new Law Courts and their site would not probably be more than £1,500,000; but nothing could be more vague, and it was certain that by the time they were finished, on the scale proposed, the expense would not be much less than the cost of the Abyssinian War.
THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, he was not quite sure as to the information which the noble Lord desired to have, but if he understood him correctly he wished to know what was exactly the position of the contemplated buildings of the Courts of Justice. He believed he was right in saying that the difficulty which had for 107 the moment suspended the choice of a plan was this—A competition was invited, which was responded to by a certain number of architects—eight or nine—who sent in plans, which were publicly exhibited. Before they were sent in, a memorandum was drawn up of the terms on which the exhibition was to be held; and it was that referees should be appointed by the Treasury, who were to determine to which of the plans exhibited the award of superior execution ought to be given. The referees who were charged with this duty were unable to agree that any one of the plans exhibited in competition was the best; but they selected two, and made an award that they thought the interior plan of one of the competitors and the exterior plan of another were the best. That award having been made, some of the unsuccessful competitors objected to it as being beyond the power of the referees. They said—"We entered into competition each one against every other, but not into competition with the joint production of two others." In the memorandum of the terms of competition it was stated that any matter in dispute should be referred to the decision of the Attorney General. That had been done, and he believed the reference was still going on. Until it was concluded, it would not be in the power of the Commissioners for the erection of the Palace of Justice to take any steps in regard to the selection of any plan. He hoped that before long the reference would be terminated, and that the Commissioners would then be allowed to proceed with the erection of the building.