THE EARL OF MEATHasked Her Majesty's Government, Whether it is true that a sum of money has been placed at their disposal by an anonymous donor for the purpose of defraying the expense of laying out as a public garden the open space adjoining the Law Courts, not at present required for building purposes; and, if so, whether it is true that they propose to carry out the wishes of the donor?
§ LORD HENNIKERin reply, said, their Lordships would remember that the other day, in reply to the noble Earl, he stated that the First Commissioner of Works had come to the conclusion that whatever was done should not be done out of Imperial funds, but that he was prepared, if any scheme for laying out as a public garden the land 726 in question was proposed, to carefully consider it. He was glad to say that a gentleman, who was not for the first time a benefactor of the public in this direction, had proposed to the First Commissioner to put this piece of ground in order at his own expense. The First Commissioner of Works had consented to the arrangement, and it would be carried out forthwith. He thought it right that he should repeat what he said the other day, so that there should be no misunderstanding. Their Lordships knew that this was a most valuable site, and that it would probably be required by the Lord Chancellor for the extension of the Law Courts. The First Commissioner of Works had allowed the ground to be put in order temporarily; but he had reserved to himself to take back the whole of the ground, or any part of it, at any time that the ground might be required for the Public Service. He should like to add that the ground would be laid out in accordance with a plan prepared by Mr. Street, the architect of the Law Courts.