LORD THURLOWsaid, he rose to ask the Government whether, now that the public were freely admitted to the Mall by Storey's Gate and that the plans for the new Admiralty and War Office were under revision, they would re-consider the question of opening a new street from the Mall to Trafalgar Square through Spring Gardens? This subject had, on a previous occasion, 784 been under consideration by their Lordships, and he felt that he ought in some sense to apologize for again bringing it forward. Circumstances, however, had changed, and two of the objections that were urged against this proposal then could not be urged now. Eighteen months ago Storey's Gate was thrown open to the public. It had previously been urged that if this plan were adopted the traffic would increase to such an extent that the approaches to Parliament and the quietude of the park might be seriously prejudiced. The experience with regard to Storey's Gate had shown how groundless this fear was. The second objection had been removed by the postponement and revision of the plans with regard to the War and Admiralty Offices. If the Mall was continued in a straight line as far as Trafalgar Square, the cost would be comparatively trifling, and a great improvement in the Metropolis would be accomplished. He hoped the Government would favourably consider this proposal.
§ LORD LAMINGTONasked, what were the present plans of the Government with regard to the War and Admiralty Offices which were to have been erected in the Park?
THE EARL OF MEATHsaid, he hoped the Government would look with favour on this proposal. It would be greatly to be regretted if the opportunity were lost of carrying out the improvement suggested, and so making a magnificent avenue. He trusted the Government would be able to give a satisfactory answer to the question of the noble Lord (Lord Thurlow).
§ LORD HENNIKERsaid, he would not follow his noble Friend behind him (Lord Lamington) into the question of the Admiralty and War Office, as he had a short time ago explained to the House the position of affairs with regard to the proposed New Offices. The plans for the War Office depended entirely upon what Parliament settled as to the Admiralty. As to the proposal of the noble Lord opposite (Lord Thurlow), that a road should be made connecting the Mall with Trafalgar Square, when Messrs. Leeming and Leeming's plan was under consideration, the question of making a road had not been forgotten, and in the plan now proposed it had been thought of, in case it was decided to make a road there. To make a road, 785 it would be necessary to pull down some of the houses in Spring Gardens, now occupied by different Departments of the Admiralty. Their Lordships would see that no decision could be come to on this question at present. Until these Departments were provided for in the new buildings, they must remain in their present quarters. When the new buildings were finished, it would be the best time to consider how the surplus land in Spring Gardens should be dealt with, when, too, it would, no doubt, be the best time to consider whether a road should be made as proposed by his noble Friend opposite.
THE EARL OF MORLEYsaid, he trusted that the noble Lord would be able to tell the House at no distant date that the proposal had been favourably considered. Not only would the general appearance of Trafalgar Square and the Park be improved by the new road, but the congested traffic in the neighbouring streets would be greatly relieved.
§ LORD HENNIKERsaid, that he was unfortunate, as he thought his noble Friend opposite (Lord Morley) had misunderstood him. The question had not been forgotten or unfavourably considered, and would, no doubt, be considered again at the proper time.