§ MR. BOWYERsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether there is any objection to giving orders for means to be used for causing the Clock to strike the hours upon the largest quarter bell (the chimes being silent) until a new great bell shall have been east and fully approved? Also, whether the cause of the defect in the great bell has been ascertained, and if another bell is to be provided?
§ LORD HOTHAMsaid, he wished to add 1950 a question on the same subject. It was when the right hon. Gentleman will be prepared to lay before the House notice of the determination to which be may have come with reference to the great bell, and whether he will do so before any further outlay of money has been incurred?
MR. COWPERreplied, that be had had the good fortune to secure the advice and counsel of gentlemen who stood highest in those scientific attainments which would particularly guide them in coming to a conclusion on the state of the great bell. The inquiries of those gentlemen were not yet completed, and so Far as they had gone he should not be justified in saying that the bell could be again struck without considerable danger; or, on the other hand, that it was absolutely necessary to abandon the use of the bell, lie considered that the best course to be taken as a temporary arrangement was to use the largest quarter bell for striking the hour, and the other three-quarter bells for striking the quarters. If that were done the House would be spared the loud and dismal strokes of the great hell, which they must all remember, and which occasionally drowned the voices of hon. Members, and diverted attention from the business before the House. By using the largest quarter bell, which was as large as the bell of St. Paul's, the neighbourhood would be informed of the hour without exposing the House to the serious inconvenience to which he had alluded. He thought it was rather hard upon the House that, for the sake of half the county of Middlesex being informed what o'clock it was, hon. Members should be prevented hearing themselves speak. This arrangement would be economical, and, he believed, satisfactory.