§ CAPTAIN DAWSON-DAMERsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, If it is true that, in consequence of the want of plans of the flues, &c. of the Houses of Parliament, the persons in charge of the arrangements for the prevention of fire in the building do not hold themselves responsible for its safety; and, if so, whether he does not consider it requisite, in order to prevent the possibility of a recurrence of a disaster, to provide some plan to insure the preservation of the building?
§ MR. AYRTONin reply, said, it was undoubtedly true that the officers of the Board of Works were not in possession of the plans of the flues throughout that large building. No doubt that was a source of considerable inconvenience, 1594 though he could not go the length of saying that the persons in charge would not hold themselves responsible for its safety in case of the occurrence of fire in the building. The hon. Member must be aware that steps were being taken to get possession of the plans, and he trusted that, in some way or other, the officers of the Board of Works would obtain possession of the plans, so that the matter might be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.