§ SIR MORTON PETOsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether any Contract has been entered into with Mr. Szerelmey to arrest the decay of the stone of the New Palace of Westminster; and, if so, under what advice the First Commissioner acted in entering into such further Contract with Mr. Szerelmey pending the Report of the Commission, which recommended that nothing further be done in the use of the process of Mr. Szerelmey?
MR. COWPERsaid, in reply, that there was no Contract now pending. There was a Contract entered into in 1860, but no works were executed under it since 1860.
§ SIR MORTON PETOIs it now in force?
§ SIR JOHN SHELLEYsaid, he wished to ask, whether there has been any examination made of that portion of the stone to which the solution has been applied, and whether the effect is satisfactory?
MR. COWPERsaid, the time that had elapsed since the application of the process referred to was not sufficient to enable them to come to any decision upon the point. He was, however, inclined to think that the Report would be favourable. It was, however, too soon to give any opinion upon the matter.