§ LORD LAMINGTONasked, Whether Her Majesty's Government intend to make further inquiries with the view of finding a durable stone to build with before commencing with the new public buildings? He believed there was a sandstone which was to be found in the neighbourhood of the Metropolis which was most durable and well fitted for the purpose.
THE EARL OF ROSEBERY, in reply, said, he could assure the noble Lord that every attention would be paid to the point to which he had directed attention. He was in communication with the architects at that moment on the subject. Of course, the noble Lord was aware that the main difficulty was that of discovering a stone that would resist the effects of the London atmosphere. The last stone that was used in the erection of public buildings was the Portland stone, and he did not know if it was possible to find a stone that would resist the London atmosphere better than the Portland stone.
§ In reply to the EARL of WEMYSS,
THE EARL OF ROSEBERYsaid, he understood that a model of the buildings was being made, and that the particular plan to which the noble Earl had directed his attention, and in relation to which the model was made, was now in Westminster Hall, as no adequate accommodation could be found for it in any other part of the building. He was not quite sure whether it was completed; but he had given orders for its being pressed forward. As to the general question of the plans, the first Vote for the purpose had passed the House of Commons, and therefore might be considered to pledge the House of Commons in some degree to the plan; but, of course, it was open to the other House to raise the question again.