HC Deb 16 November 1908 vol 196 c878
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is yet in a position to state what arrangements he has been able to make with a view to secure that the necessary medical and surgical appliances are available, and a medical doctor to apply them, in case of sudden illness occurring within the premises of the House.

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. L. HARCOURT, Lancashire, Rossendale)

A large medicine chest, replete with every drug and instrument which the ingenuity or necessities of man can require, has been generously presented to the House by a well-known firm of manufacturing chemists, who do not desire their name to be mentioned in the matter; but I am glad to take this opportunity of conveying to the anonymous donors the gratitude of those who may subsequently profit by these appliances. The contents of this chest were decided upon after the careful consideration and advice of specialists in these matters. There are four keys to it which are held by the Inspector of Police in the Lords and Commons, the Serjeant-at-Arms, and a representative of the Office of Works. I have no doubt that, if and when the necessity should arise, Members v, ill receive in the future, as they have done in the past, the immediate and careful attention of their medical colleagues in this House.