§ MR. ESSLEMONT (Aberdeen, E.)asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he has any reason to believe that the noxious air in this House is due to the artificial system of ventilation; and, whether, by way of experiment, he will allow the present system to be discontinued for a few days in order to allow fresh air to be admitted from the windows in the roof?
THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNNET) (Dublin University)I have no reason to believe that the air in this House is noxious; and what the hon. Member calls the artificial system of ventilation consists simply in this—that the air which Members have been breathing is drawn out through the ceiling, so that fresh air may constantly enter the House more freely from below. In hot weather this air is passed over ice to make it cooler. I cannot advise that the experiment suggested by the hon. Member of discontinuing this system should be tried.
§ DR. KENNY (Cork, S.)asked, whether the suggestion made by the hon. Member for Mid Cork (Dr. Tanner), that the air entering the House should be strained through cotton wadding, had received attention?
§ MR. PLUNKETWe have been trying those experiments, but are waiting for the next fog.