MR. J. LOWTHERI desire to call the attention of Mr. Speaker, as the supreme authority of the House, to a question which very seriously affects not only the comfort, but the health of the Members of the House. I refer to the atmospheric conditions under which, recently, our labours in the House have been conducted. I am only using a figure of speech in saying that I desire to call Mr. Speaker's attention to this matter, for Mr. Speaker's own attention must have already been called to the matter. It is only necessary for me to place before Mr. Speaker, as the responsible Chief of the House, the great importance of our labours being conducted under conditions free from the disagreeable incident to which I have referred; and I hope the House will be prepared to support Mr. Speaker in any action he may think it necessary to take with a view of redressing this serious inconvenience.
§ MR. SPEAKERIn consequence of complaints and representations made to me last night, and my own observation of the unsatisfactory condition of the atmosphere of this House, I have made such inquiries as the shortness of time permitted me as to the cause of it. It was noticed not only inside this Chamber, but outside the House, that there was prevailing an odour of a very dangerous and deadly character. The odour came from the side of the Abbey, in which direction the wind was setting. On former occasions complaints have been made of odours being carried across the Thames from Lambeth; but last night the wind was in the south-west, and the odour came distinctly from that quarter. It was observed by the policemen on their beat, who heard passengers 635 complaining of it. I have also ascertained from the Inspector of Police that there was a perceptible odour emanating from the sewer which runs immediately outside the gates of this House, at the corner of Parliament Street. I am told that the District Board of Works has, on previous occasions, poured some disinfecting fluid down the sewer; but I am bound to say that the matter is of so serious and even of so vital a nature, that the House, probably, will not be satisfied without some further inquiry being made into the cause of last night's disturbance. It is not for me, but for the House, to suggest what course should be taken; but I hope I may not be deviating from what is proper if I say that it might be convenient, if the First Commissioner of Works approves of that course, that a small Committee of this House should inquire both into the cause of the unpleasant atmospheric condition of the House last night and on previous occasions. The officials of the House, I am bound to say, who have to deal with the ventilation of the House, try to the utmost of their power to discharge their duties in the House, and to administer the system which is in vogue in the House; but it does not follow that the system is beyond reproach, and I would suggest that some inquiries should be made as to whether the system cannot be modified and improved for the purpose of preventing what I cannot help feeling may be a source of great inconvenience, if not of danger, to hon. Gentlemen. With the consent of the House I will, therefore, communicate with the right hon. Gentleman the First Commissioner of Works, and inform the House further as to what steps may be taken in the matter.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLI wish to call attention to the fact that the First Commissioner of Works is not in his place. I consider it somewhat hard that the considerable duties of the Speaker should be increased by his being called upon to investigate matters of this kind. The absence of the First Commissioner may, I think, be taken to amount to a presumed neglect of duty.
§ MR. COURTNEYI think the noble Lord's complaint of the absence of my right hon. Friend is rather premature. The noble Lord possibly does not know that the First Commissioner of Works is about the precincts of the House engaged 636 in an investigation of this very matter. My right hon. Friend had received no intimation that this subject would be brought before the House, and he could not be expected to anticipate that it was about to be raised. No doubt, when the attention of my right hon. Friend has been directed to the matter, he will give it his serious attention.