§ MR. BOND(for Colonel HAMBRO) (Dorset, S.)asked, the First Commissioner of Works, If he is aware that there is a cellar in the House of Commons, the superficial area of which is 18 feet by 12, into which no natural light or fresh air can enter, or foul or heated air from the gas (which is always burning) can escape, except through the doorway, which opens into a passage lit with gas, and is 19 yards from the external atmosphere, and that in this cellar, the temperature of which is seldom below 80 degrees, three men in the employment of the House have to work at a dirty and laborious occupation on an average of 15 hours a-day throughout the Session; and, if he will take immediate steps to have this cellar closed as a workroom?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)The cellar to which my attention has been called is really a scullery used in connection with the Kitchen and the Members' Dining Room, and is in a convenient position for that purpose. I have myself inquired into its sanitary condition; and while I found that the drainage had been quite recently renewed and was in an excellent condition, the ventilation was, undoubtedly, in a bad state. There was, however, an air shaft from the ceiling which had not been used for some time. This shaft has now been put in use, with the result that a considerable current of air is now passing through the room.