§ Captain JESSELasked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his 2675W attention has been drawn to the narrowing of the footway owing to the protection of the wooden hoardings on the site of the Government offices in Great George Street, especially as hoardings have also been erected on the opposite side of the road, which is causing great inconvenience to pedestrians; and whether he will take steps to have the hoardings put back at an early date?
Mr. DUDLEY WARDThis inconvenience to which attention is drawn is one that is within the First Commissioner's personal experience, but he is afraid that it must be tolerated for some little time. The hoarding, which has been erected by arrangement with the Westminster City Council, is necessary for the protection of the public, and for the convenience of carrying on building operations on the site. It will not be retained longer than is absolutely necessary. The Office of Works has no connection with the hoarding on the opposite side of the street,