§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether any competitive tests have been made for the purpose of ascertaining which was the best system of fire resisting construction for the National Gallery extension; and whether Messrs. Fawcett & Company have offered to make competitive tests of their system against the reinforced concrete of foreign design now proposed.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, RossendaleThe Office of Works does not hold competitive tests for fire-resisting construction. We are quite content with the results of the tests carried out by the British Fire Prevention Committee. It is open to Messrs. Fawcett 1217 to arrange with that committee to test their methods.