The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-21 00:00:00

THI4 REPORT ON PUBLIC OFFICES.

The report of the select committee on public offices
was distributed on Saturday. The report refers to the
inconvenience which now results from the various public
offices being located at long distances from each other,
and, as an instance, refers to the War Department,
whore it appears, exclusive of that branch of the business
which id transacted at the Horse Guards, under the
direction of the Commander in-Chief, the business of the
War Department is carried on at no less than ten diffe-
rent places, having separate establishments of clerks and
offictrd, amounting altogether to 4PB, and varying in
number from two to one hundred awl eighty in the seve-
ral establishments. The committee therefore recom-
mend, both as regards economy and efficiency in the
transaction of business, that there should be a concen-
tration of the various offices, and th At such concentra-
tion should be effected in the immediate vicinity of
Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament.

It appears by the evidence that the houses now occu-
pied as offices for the public service (am which are held
on lease) represent a rental of 22,0001. per annum, and
that the same accounnodation would be afforded by pub-
lic buildings three storeys iu height, and occuping an
area of 171,638 square feet, exclusive of open space.
But if the branch of the Admiralty now conducted at
Somerset helm should be removed to Whitehall, an ad-
ditional space o? 42,600 square feet will be required fur
that purp
With reference to the property required to be taken,
tile repara recommends that the area should be that
bounded by the back of Richmond-terrace; the north
front of the Irish Office and Downing-street on the
north ; New Palace-yard and Great George-street on
the south ; the river Thames on the East ; and St.
James's Park on the west. All the property comprised
within this area can be obtained. The above space in-
cludes, with the buildings in Downing-street, 825,275
square feet, one half of which it is calculated must be
devoted to open spaces, and the other half to new build-
ings. Of this area, 171,633 square feet will be required
for the offices above alluded to ; 42,600 square feet for
the accommodation of the Admiralty business now con-
ducted at Somerset-house ; and 151,535 square feet for
the other offices, leaving, for additional buildings likely
to be required, 46,864 square feet. In this space of
825,275 square feet is included a portion of ground
amounting to about 70,000 square feet, which it has
been stated to the committee will probably be required
for approaches to Westminster-bridge and for throwing
open Westminster-hall to those approaches by taking
do sn the south side of Bridge-street. For this space
the sum of 250,0001. has been included in the estimate,
which is as follows, viz.:—The total sum required fur
the purchase of the ground above enumerated will, de-
ducting this 250,0001, be about 1,250,000/. To this
sum must be added the cost of erecting the proposed
buildings, which has been estimated at 1,000,0001. On
the other hand, however, there is to be deducted of
c urse a capital corresponding to the rental of the houses
above referred to, viz., 22,0001. per annum, and it should
also be borne in mind that the portion of Somerset-house
now occupied by the Admiralty will be sot free for other
purposes. An opportunity will also be afforded without
incurring any additional expense to make a great open-
ing from Whitehall to Westminster Abbey, by erecting
the new buildings on each side of snob thoroughfare.
The report further recommends that it would be an
economical arrangement to acquire at the same time the
property between the north side of Great George-street
and the Broad Sanctuary, together with the west side of
Princes street. The committee also recommend, in case
Parliament should sanction the acquisition of the above
,properties, that the design of the different public build-
ings to be erected on the proposed site should be sub-
mitted to public competition. Such is the substance of
the report, which it is expected Parliament will at once
sanction.

The sum of 2,250,0001., or rather 1,600,0001., because
the capitalised value of the houses now erected will have
to be deducted, is certainly a large sum, and wi.l per-
haps make financial reformers stare ; but what is it in
comparison to the advantages to be derived to the public
revenue, and the improvement of this portion of the m..t-
tropolis ? If the cost was thrown over, say 60 years,
the annual amount would scarcely be felt ; indeed a
percentage of the enormous sums annually wasted by
Parliament would more than cover the annual cost.