§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAMasked the First Commissioner of Works, If, during the Recess, electric light could be substituted for the gas which is spoiling the stonework of the roof of the cloister used as the Cloak Room?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)There is no doubt that the use of gas is doing a certain amount of injury to the stonework in some of the cloisters and passages of the Houses of Parliament, though this was, in the case of the Cloak Room, to some extent remedied in 1878; and I quite agree that the substitution of electric lighting is, for this reason and many others, most desirable. But, unfortunately, there is the odious question of expense to be considered in making such an improvement. I have been for some time engaged in having estimates prepared of what the cost would be; and I hope very soon to be able to submit the matter to the proper authorities, though what its reception will be I cannot say. At present, with the existing power, it is impossible to have electric light in that part of the House.