Sir John informed the Committee, that about six or seven years ago the Magistrates of Westminster had no other Court-house but a place at the bottom of the stairs leading to the House of Commons, called _Hell_, to keep their Sessions in. The increase of business and of offences in Westminster made it impracticable to carry on the business there. The nuisance was represented by the Magistrates to the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Northumberland, who said, he had then applied for redress, and told the Chairman it could not be taken up by Government then, but would be in future considered: in the mean time, at his own expence, amounting to 800_l._ he directed the Chairman to prepare a large house in King-street Westminster, which was formerly a tavern, to be made proper for a Court-house; that the Magistrates for their Sessions, the Burgesses for their Courts, the Lieutenancy for the Militia, Commissioners of Sewers for their business, Grand Juries for the County of Middlesex, Writs of Enquiry for the Sheriffs, and meeting of inhabitants for nominating their Representatives, should use the said building; for all which purposes it has been constantly, effectually, and conveniently used; that it is scarce possible for the above business to be transacted without it, and the establishment of it is as essential to the Civil Power as any thing that has been mentioned. That the purchase of the said building and fitting it up, cost the Duke of Northumberland near 4000_l._; and he added, that this building also might be kept in repair by the County rate, at an average of 30 or 40_l._ a year. Sir John Fielding said, he thinks the acting part of the Magistrates in Westminster is in as good a state as it ever was, and more free from imputation of or neglect of duty; that it would be useful to have some persons of rank and condition in the Commission of the Peace for Westminster, who would attend at the Quarter Sessions, where they would become acquainted with the conduct of the Magistrates in general, give a dignity to the Commission, support the acting Magistrates on great occasions, and give encouragement to such of them as discharged their trust becoming the honour of the Commission, and discountenance those who did not; and he added, that for the last two or three years the Magistrates of Westminster have gone through very painful duty, and have been very diligent in it; and having been sensible of the necessity of their attendance, have mutually agreed to attend at any time or place upon the least notice from their Chairman.