§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether any change has been made in the method of carrying off the sewer air discharged into the Clock Tower shaft since Sir Henry Roscoe made a statement before the Select Committee on Ventilation in 1891; and whether he can account for the impurity of the atmosphere in the Committee Rooms?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. H. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.As I indicated in my answer to the lion. Member on Tuesday last, no change has been made in the drainage arrangements of the House since the inquiry of 1891. I am not aware that there is any impurity of the atmosphere in the Committee Rooms, except what may occasionally be caused by overcrowding.
§ * MR. WEIRWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the statements in his answer of Tuesday were not generally inaccurate?
§ MR. H. GLADSTONEI can assure the hon. Gentleman that what I stated then was strictly accurate.
§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he has yet had an opportunity of ascertaining if the air (sewer gas) from the main drain of the Houses of Parliament is aspirated through the whole length of the system from the Victoria Tower to the Clock Tower?
§ MR. H. GLADSTONEI stated on Tuesday last that the main drain is aspirated in the other direction, from the Clock Tower to the Victoria Tower. It is aspirated through the whole length of the system.
DR.MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire)Are the drains properly trapped?
§ MR. H. GLADSTONEIf the hon. Member wishes to satisfy himself on the subject I will give him every facility.