THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANI beg to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will cause a model of the proposed new buildings for the War Office to be made and placed in the 447 precincts of the House for the inspection of Members of both Houses of Parliament. I do not intend to detain the House very long. I addressed this question to Her Majesty's Government because I was not aware as to who was the proper authority, but I now find that the Lord Steward of the Household will answer on their behalf. I sincerely hope that he will be able to accede to the request I make, but I feel very doubtful as to the answer I shall receive. One reason why he may not acquiesce in the making of the model is because it will cost a considerable amount of money, and another is that plans and specifications have already been accepted. I think it is perfectly true that a model would cost a considerable amount of money, but I also think it is quite reasonable to ask such a sum as it may cost should be spent on this account, because it is a matter of great importance that the Houses of Parliament should know the purposes for which this money has been voted, and how it is being expended. With regard to the second point, I am quite convinced that ninety-nine persons out of every hundred cannot form any idea from plans and specifications. And I do not think, in this matter, that I speak without authority, because I think many of your Lordships will recall the fact that when the Admiralty buildings were to be erected, the plans and elevation were submitted and passed by both Houses of Parliament, and the Government accepted them and entered into a contract for their erection. A model was made, on the motion—I am not sure, but I think upon the motion—of the noble Earl sitting on the cross benches. That model was made and brought into the Houses of Parliament, the result being to show what a monstrosity the new Admiralty buildings would have been if they had been put up. The effect of it was that the contract was cancelled and the buildings were not erected. I regret that the same course is not pursued in the case of the present Admiralty buildings, because I think they are unworthy of the dignity of the offices which they contain. In their architecture they are weak where they should be strong, there are useless pediments which are not needed, pillars where they arc not required, and there is a sort of trimming at the top which looks as if it was made out of the bricks from a child's toy box. I am told that when the buildings are finished they will 448 not be large enough to contain the offices of the Admiralty. That is one result of Parliament not being consulted, and not knowing what is being done in respect of our public buildings. They cannot tell unless they see them in models with the elevation of the buildings round about them. I hope the noble Lord will not be deterred, by the fact that the plans and elevations have been shown, from granting the request which I wish to make. While it is no part of the motion of which I gave notice, I should like to appeal to those in authority on the question of the buildings to be erected in King-street. I would ask any of your Lordships to look at the Abbey from the Local Board Offices. You get now the finest view of it that has ever been had. You get it in its grand proportions, not dwarfed by the propinquity of St. Margaret's. Surely it is worth while, before it is too late, to keep open the most splendid view that you have in all London. You take in the whole group, opposite, of the Houses of Parliament. If the line which is proposed is continued you will see nothing of all this but Henry VIII. Chapel. I know that it will cost something to do, but surely it is worth while not to lose the only chance we have ever had in this, metropolis of permanently securing such a view as this. I do not know whom I ought to appeal to, but I appeal to the Government generally not to allow this splendid view to be taken away.
THE LORD STEWARD OF THE HOUSEHOLD (the Earl of PEMBROKE and MONTGOMERY)I am afraid I cannot give much comfort to my noble friend in the answer which I have to give him. The First Commissioner of Works does not see his way to granting the request with respect to the model of the building. The plans and elevations of the new buildings have been in the tea room in the House of Commons, and have been approved. In regard to the references which have been made to the present new Admiralty buildings, I might remind the noble Lord that that magnificent pile is the result of a Committee of the House of Commons. That does not encourage my right honourable friend to carry on the same procedure with regard to further public buildings.
THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANI have no doubt whatever that it was owing 449 to its being a Committee of the House of Commons. I regret, and I cannot help regretting, that the answer of the noble Earl was drawn up and considered before the Government heard what I had to say upon the subject. I have already given my reasons why, in my opinion, it was desirable that a model should be made, but if the Government will not accede to my request I cannot help it.
§ THE EARL OF WEMYSSI wish to say that, having heard the answers given to the noble Lord, I shall move a Resolution upon this subject when this House meets next Tuesday.