§ Mr. NALL-CAINasked the First Commissioner of Works whether arrangements have been concluded for the employment of an architect to prepare plans and designs for the proposed Government offices in Whitehall; and whether those arrangements involve any substantial financial liability in advance of the Government reaching a decision whether to proceed with the erection of the buildings?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is hoped that the appointment of an architect to prepare plans and designs for the proposed Government offices in Whitehall will be made shortly. The draft agreement provides for a first payment to the architect of £10,000 on approval of the sketch plans. A decision will then have to be taken whether to proceed with the erection of the building or not. Should the decision be not to proceed with the scheme, a further sum estimated not to exceed £5,000 would be payable to the architect. The necessary financial provision will be made on the Estimate for Public Buildings, Great Britain, for the forthcoming financial year.