§ MR. FORESTERasked the Chief Commissioner of Works, If he would state the expenditure incurred in repairing the face of the clock in the tower of Westminster Palace looking towards Buckingham Palace, and when there is any likelihood of its being finished?
§ MR. ADAMThe cost of executing the necessary repairs, painting and re-gilding the west face of the clock, the 1913 ironwork surrounding it, repairing the hands of the clock, the metal framework and the opal glass, has been about £240. The clock has been going since Saturday last, and the scaffolding is all down. These repairs are of a dangerous nature, and can only be undertaken during the summer months, and therefore, unfortunately, while the House is sitting. This is the first time the clock face has been cleaned since it was erected. A special scaffolding had to be designed and completed; and I cannot say that, considering the difficulty of the work, it has taken an unreasonable time to complete.