Lords Sitting of 22 January 1878

QUEEN'S SPEECH—HER MAJESTY'S ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS.
THE LORD STEWARD (The Earl BEAUCHAMP)reported Her Majesty's Answer to the Address as follows:—
MY LORDS,
I HAVE received with much satisfaction your loyal and dutiful Address.
Your assurance that the measures which will be submitted to you will receive your earnest consideration affords Me sincere gratification; and you may rely with confidence on My cordial co-operation in every effort to improve the welfare and security of My People.

METROPOLIS—HYDE PARK CORNER.

  QUESTION.
  EARL FORTESCUEsaid, that early last Session he called the attention of the House and Her Majesty's Government to the very inconvenient confluence of vehicles at Hyde Park Corner during the London season. At the same time he suggested a plan by which at a small expense the inconvenience might be obviated to a very considerable extent. The noble Earl at the head of the Government said, in reply, that the Government had under their consideration a plan for effecting the required improvement, and he did not think it advisable that a partial scheme, which at best would only serve for a short time, and the remedial effect of which would be infinitesimally small, should be adopted. Although he (Earl Fortescue) did not intend on the present occasion to suggest any remedy, yet he continued to

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  think that what he had ventured to propose would have much diminished the inconvenience. Notwithstanding the admirable efforts of the police, the confusion at Hyde Park Corner was such as would be a disgrace to any civilized capital, and especially so to that capital which was the most populous and the richest in the world. He had to repeat the Question he put last year. He wished to know from Her Majesty's Government, Whether there were to be any steps taken to diminish the very inconvenient confluence of vehicles at Hyde Park Corner during the London season; and, if so, when it was proposed to commence the requisite works?
  THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON,in reply, said, that he could only repeat the answer given last Session by his noble Friend at the head of the Government. He quite admitted the existence of the evil complained of, and there was in the Office of Works a plan for remedying it; but the cost of the purchase of the property necessary in order to carry out that plan properly would cost so large a sum of money that at the present time Her Majesty's Government were not prepared to recommend Parliament to take any steps in that direction.
  House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, to Thursday next, half past Ten o'clock.