My Lords, however, reserved for further consideration a claim which had been made for the payment for certain services performed by the late Mr. Pugin, upon which, as well as with regard to the question of measurement of works, past and future, my Lords called for a Report from the Board of Works. My Lords also requested to be informed of the exact cost of the buildings up to the latest date then ascertainable, and of the amount of moneys which from time to time had been paid to Sir Charles Barry.

From the Report of the Board of Works it appears that up to the 2nd of October, 1853, the cost of the building amounted to 1,506,845l. 10s., but with regard to which the Board of Works reports that works to the amount of 14,439l. were not strictly subject to commission. They also report, that up to that date Sir Charles Barry had received payments on account of commission, amounting in all to 44,735l. 3s. 9d.

With regard to measurements, it appears by the same Report that Sir Charles Barry had paid out of pocket the sum of 11,457l. 18s. 10d. for that work, and that he had employed, in a portion of that duty, officers of the Board of Works, but who had been paid extra for such services. From explanations made, my Lords arrived at the conclusion that the moneys paid to Mr. Pugin should be allowed as extras. The Report of the Board of Works referred to, dated the 22nd January, 1855, however, brought before this Board several new claims upon the part of Sir Charles Barry for extra remuneration over and above his commission, but which appeared to my Lords to be generally of a nature which were covered by the commission of 3 per cent. upon the outlay.

Mr. Wilson now states to the Board that, at the instance of Sir Charles Barry, Mr. Meadows White, as his friend, sought several interviews with him for the purpose of endeavouring to come to a settlement in respect to the numerous questions in dispute.

A list of Sir Charles Barry’s claims for extra payment was put in by Mr. White, and consisted of:—

1. Services for plans in connexion with some contemplated arrangements in the new building for the deposit of Public Records.
2. Services in assisting and advising the Fine Arts Commission in respect to arrangements to be made in the Houses of Parliament.
3. Services in respect to warming and ventilating the Houses of Parliament.
4. Returns to Parliament, and attendance on Parliamentary Committees.
5. Other services in respect to warming and ventilating.
6. For directions to workmen, &c., in the wood and stone carving departments.
7. For purchase of stock on behalf of Government.
8. For procuring casts from the best examples of mediæval carving, &c.
9. For extra designs after the original plans were made.
10. For miscellaneous services, resisting unfair claims of contractors, &c.

It appears to my Lords, that with the exception of any charge which Sir Charles Barry may be able to show he is entitled to for conducting the ventilation and lighting of the houses of Parliament, all the other charges were fairly to be included in the commission of the architect.

Looking, however, at the question as a whole, and desirous to put an end to these long disputed points, and after having consulted the Board of Works, the following offer was made to Mr. White, as acting for Sir C. Barry, on the 26th of May last, with a view finally to settle all questions as to commission, measurement, and all other claims, up to the 2nd of October, 1853, to which date the closed accounts extended.

1st. That a commission of 3 per cent. should be allowed on theentire outlay of 1,506,845l., up to the 2nd of October, 1853.
2nd. That a remuneration for measurement upon the whole of theworks included in that outlay should be paid at the rate of 1 percent.
3rd. That these commissions should cover all demands of every kindwhatsoever for the past, the services for warming, lighting, andventilating alone excepted, which should be dealt with separately,and upon their own merits.
4th. That the remuneration of Sir Charles Barry for the futureshould be fixed at
Three per cent. commission on the outlay as architect, and 1 percent. for measurement upon all works to which measurement applies;and that no furniture, &c. should in future be furnished by Sir C.Barry except by the special order of the Treasury.

After numerous further interviews and discussions with Mr. White, that gentleman, on the part of Sir Charles Barry, declined the terms of settlement thus offered, and pressed again the claims for the extra services performed.