MR. HOPEwished to put a question to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Lancaster with reference to an opinion which prevailed, that the stone of which the new Houses of Parliament are built is already showing signs of decomposition and decay. It would be satisfactory to the House to know that there was no foundation for that report, and he, therefore, felt justified in asking the question.
MR. GREENEdid not think there was anything like a general decomposition or decay of the stone in the Houses of Parliament, though there might be some degree of decomposition in a few stones. Those were, he thought, entirely matters of exception, and he believed the stone, generally, to be of as pure a description as any at present used. The selection of the stone was originally left to a commission, 60 who expressed their unqualified approbation of it.
§ MR. OSBORNEwould ask the hon. Member another question, viz., whether there was any foundation for the report that hon. Members were to hold their deliberations in the new House of Commons soon after Easter?