§ EARL FORTESCUEMy Lords, I rise to ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in contravention of the words of the trust deed forbidding the erection of any building on the land amounting to 6½ acres known as Bethnal Green Poor's Land, the Charity Commissioners intend to sanction the erection of a free library and townhall and an infirmary thereon?
* THE EARL OF MEATHMy Lords, when the Legislature gave powers to the Charity Commissioners for the management of these trusts, and to carry them 1567 out in such a manner as they thought would be best for the interests of the population of the Metropolis, those powers were given with the view that they should carry them out, taking into consideration the particular condition of the population of London. This land was purchased in 1690 for the purpose of being continually kept open for the people, and I would ask your Lordships whether the population is not much more numerous and crowded to a very much greater extent in the district now than it was 200 years ago. How, then, can the Charity Commissioners think they are carrying out the wishes of the Legislature if they erect buildings on this land? If they think fit to allow building upon it are they not going in distinct contravention of the intentions of the Legislature that the charity trusts should be used with duo regard to the public requirements. Can it be said that open spaces are less needed now in that neighbourhood than they were 200 years ago? Can it be said that the population is less numerous now than it was 290 years ago? The Charity Commissioners cannot believe that they are carrying out the wishes of the Legislature unless they believe that is so. How strong the feeling is upon the subject is shown by the petition signed by some 400 people in the parish expressing the hope that this open space will be preserved. On the other hand, there is a petition signed by only 130 persons. That shows that public opinion is somewhat divided upon the matter. If these buildings be erected there will be very little land left to be devoted to the purpose for which it was originally intended. I hope an expression of opinion will be given which will show your Lordships' feelings in this matter, and which will intimate to the Charity Commissioners that if they allow buildings to be erected on this land they are not doing as was contemplated by the Legislature.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORThe noble Lords do not seem to be aware that the Charity Commissioners are pursuing the course laid down by Act of Parliament. They have not yet presented a scheme, though no doubt a draft scheme has been arranged for the management of the charity on the recommendation of a majority of the trustees. There are two branches of the charity—the object of 1568 one is to make provision for the poor and the other is in reference to dealing with the land. When the scheme is presented, the Commissioners are bound by statute to hear and consider all the objections made to it, and if they should decide wrongly the statute provides a remedy by appeal to the Court of Chancery. The matter is in due course of law arranged by the proper authorities, and I think I have said enough to show that any expression of opinion on the subject by Her Majesty's Government would be entirely out of place.